GEELONG coach Chris Scott doubts former Cats James Kelly and Mathew Stokes will be motivated to prove a point to their former club when they play in Essendon colours against Geelong at the MCG on Saturday.
The Cats did not offer the duo contracts at the end of last season, and both were preparing for life after football when the chance to play at Essendon in 2016 arose after the Court of Arbitration for Sport suspended 12 Bombers for the season in January.
The pair decided to accept short-term contracts to extend their careers one more season, and have been in good form in Essendon's first three games despite limited pre-seasons.
"I don't really spend too much time on opposition individual's motivation," Scott said.
"We'll respect them as quality opposition players but focus on the bigger picture a little bit more."
Kelly and Stokes have made a favourable impression at their new club with their willingness to pass on the experience they gained in a combined 462 games and five premierships with the Cats.
Scott said Geelong has enormous respect for the pair, but he thinks Kelly and Stokes will be more determined to help their team than direct any statement towards the Cats' hierarchy.
"We love all our players, past and present, but just not in the two hours we play them on the weekend," Scott said
"Even those guys would say we've all got bigger fish to fry than worrying about those things. It is good theatre for the supporters and we wish them well."
Two other former Cats in Mitch Brown and Jonathan Simpkin, the latter of whom played well in the VFL last week, could also line up for the Bombers in the 'Country Game'.
Scott said Essendon had already shown its capability against good opposition, meaning there was no danger the Cats would take them lightly.
He said premiership full-back Tom Lonergan may be included after he missed the game against the Brisbane Lions with a calf niggle.
The veteran defender appears a logical match-up for Essendon's exciting young key forward Joe Daniher.
Meanwhile Scott said he wasn't worried about the attention his skipper Joel Selwood received from Lions' midfielder Mitch Robinson during the last quarter of Sunday's game.
Robinson was reported for rough conduct, but the Match Review Panel found him not guilty.
Scott said the incidents involving Selwood and Robinson were minor, but he would prefer his captain didn't become entangled in such skirmishes.
"We don't really like it when Joel wrestles. He is a B-grade wrestler and he's an A-grade footballer," Scott said.
"We're not asking our players to go out and look after Joel, that is for sure."
