THE GEELONG players will go out of their way to protect stars Steve Johnson and Joel Selwood from Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley, midfielder Mitch Duncan says.
 
Johnson was cleared of kneeing North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday, setting up a reunion with Crowley when the teams meet at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.
 
Dockers coach Ross Lyon has already laid it on the line about Crowley sidling up to Johnson when the game starts, but Duncan thinks Fremantle could be playing "silly buggers".
 
Regardless of who Crowley plays on, Duncan said the Cats players would be on the lookout to support Johnson or Selwood from the tactics of the niggling Docker.
 

"It'll have to be within the rules because the Match Review Panel will be looking at that battle pretty closely," Duncan said on Friday.
 
"We've just got to show good discipline and get Dogga (Johnson) on the end of a few 'cheapies' and hopefully he kicks a few goals for us."
 
Duncan said the Cats would prepare for every scenario, understanding it will be a key duel on the night.
 
"Who knows Ross might be playing silly buggers, he might not end up going to him (Johnson)," Duncan said.
 
"We'll prepare for what we think will happen and even if it doesn't happen there's always plan b and plan c.
 
"We've got to look after whoever's getting chased by Crowley and we'll do that as best we can."
 
Fremantle has a strong record against Geelong, having won four of the past five clashes between the two sides.
 
The match up will also have huge finals implications, with the Dockers desperate to join Hawthorn, the Sydney Swans and the Cats at the top of the ladder.
 
Asked why the Dockers have had the advantage over the Cats in recent times, Duncan said he was unsure.
 
But what he is sure about is the threat posed by the Dockers midfield, led by Nat Fyfe and David Mundy.
 
"They're a good side. They're coached really well," Duncan said.
 
"They set up really well against us and with Fyfe and Mundy firing through the midfield that'll be one of our focus areas, stopping their drive through the midfield."
 
Duncan is an ambassador for the Just Think campaign and the Cats players will wear orange-banded socks to raise awareness for the cause on Saturday night.