FREMANTLE is proving a hard team for Geelong to judge ahead of their qualifying final on Saturday. 

The Dockers made 10 changes to their side for last week's clash with St Kilda, and had two late withdrawals before the 71-point thrashing to the Saints. 

Before that, they beat Port Adelaide, Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney, leaving the Cats having to go further back in the home and away season to get a gauge on their set up. 

Geelong coach Chris Scott said he would not totally ignore the performance last weekend, but acknowledged the Dockers were a difficult team to assess given their recent run of opponents. 

"The last month of footy is more relevant but they haven't really, with the exception of Port Adelaide, played sides who are going to feature in September," Scott said on Monday. 

"So you probably have to go back a little way to see have a look how they matched up against the better sides. It would be remiss of us to completely ignore the weekend. 

"They're a little bit of a hard team to get a read on in terms of their form because they haven't really been tested. That's in part because of who they've played but it's also in part because they've been playing some pretty good footy." 


Scott says he understands Fremantle's frustrations the game will not be played at Etihad Stadium or the MCG, but said the home ground advantage will not be "the reason we win or lose."

But he did acknowledge it was a fillip for the town. 

"I think even a couple of months ago people would have laughed if you talked about a final at Geelong but now it's a reality I think it's extremely exciting for the region," Scott said. 

The clubs have had shared some fiery encounters over in recent seasons but Scott said his message to his players was uncomplicated: play within the rules.

"It's pretty simple, really. We want our players to play near the edge because that's what competitors do," Scott said. 

"We're expecting Fremantle to be the same. But I think the rules are pretty clear. 

"Our players are really clear on what you can and can't do and we won't be stepping over that edge."