In a 2013 qualifying final, Fremantle invaded the Simonds Stadium fortress, scored a 15-point win, and destroyed Geelong’s finals hopes.
As this year’s finals series approaches, the Cats will look to get revenge on the Dockers down at Kardinia Park in Round 20, with AFL journalist Scott Gullan earmarking the clash as a must win for the Geelong side.
“I think there’s one [upcoming match] that stands out, and that’s Fremantle down here,” Gullan told Cats TV.
“We all know what happened [in last year’s final], Fremantle are in this club’s head,” Gullan said.
Had the Cats beaten Fremantle in that match, Gullan admitted they were likely to have made the Grand Final.
“I think that still hurts this club and these players,” Gullan said.
Gullan maintains that Geelong are likely to meet Fremantle in the finals series, therefore a victory in Round 20 is crucial.
“They need to get that, it’s not a monkey, but it’s sort of, it’s just a scratch.
“I mean you’ve got to show you can beat Fremantle, or else Ballantyne and that are just going to prey on you.
“The next couple of weeks are against lower ranked sides [so the Cats need to] build momentum,” Gullan said.
The Cats face Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney before the battle against Fremantle.
To hear more from Gullan about potential All-Australian Cats and this week’s clash against the Dees, click on the video above.
