Triple-premiership AFL players like Steve Johnson hate losing finals matches and the Cats are still stinging from their defeat by Fremantle, Geelong’s football boss Neil Balme says.
Fremantle’s upset win on Geelong’s home turf at Simonds Stadium in last week’s qualifying final has thrust the Cats into a knockout semi-final clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG on Friday night.
“They’re certainly stinging from it. But I mean, Freo were fantastic,” Balme told reporters on Thursday at Simonds Stadium.
“To come down here under the pressure that they were and to win against us was a great effort from them.
“We don’t like losing but when you play finals there’s always probably a 50-50 chance you’re going to lose so you have to cope with that.
“So we’ll respond pretty well to it.
“We think we can improve for sure.”
Balme denied Port would have the freedom of a nothing-to-lose mentality after surging from 14th in 2012 to the semi-finals.
“They should be feeling pretty good about themselves and optimistic,” Balme said.
“Does that mean it doesn’t matter whether they win? They’ll feel it’s pretty important that they win so I wouldn’t say they’ve got nothing to lose.”
Johnson was kept quiet after quarter-time last week by Fremantle’s Ryan Crowley and could face another tough match-up against Port’s Dom Cassisi.
“He’s played half-forward most of his life. He’s copped a heavy tag most of the games he’s played,” Balme said.
“I don’t think that’s unusual for him. He just came up against a pretty good one.”
Johnson’s fellow Norm Smith Medallist Jimmy Bartel had a rare personal defeat when Geelong hosted Port at Simonds Stadium in round 20.
While the Cats won by 25 points, Bartel played on Angus Monfries who booted a career-best seven goals.
“We won’t want him kicking seven again,” Balme said.
“So I think we’ll take a bit more notice of him, yes.”
Balme claims the Cats haven’t made a decision on a match-up for Monfries.
“I don’t think we’ll have anyone particularly organised for any individual players,” Balme said.
