The Cats surged into last year’s grand final on the back of a scintillating nine-goal final quarter against the Roosters, but Tudor said that had not been mentioned in the lead up this week.
He also denied North Ballarat, sitting pretty in third position, would use it as motivation to topple the reigning premiers this weekend at Austar Arena, Ballarat.
“I think just with the nature of the VFL, there’s been a lot of changes to our side and the North Ballarat side since that game, it’s a totally new year,” Tudor said.
“I don’t think they’d be worried too much about what happened in that game.
“North Ballarat is a very strong club, well coached and well drilled club, so it will be a really good game this weekend.
“We’re going to have to be right on top of our game and winning the contested ball will be very important.”
Rugged Geelong defender Max Rooke and young ruckman Shane Mumford were last night named in Cats’ squad, which is set to be one of their strongest this year.
Mumford’s demotion brings to an end his whirlwind ascent into AFL ranks, while Rooke was forced to make room for Mathew Stokes’ return from suspension.
David Johnson, Kane Tenace and Brodie Moles were named in the starting squad, despite all having injury clouds hanging over their head after last week’s 34-point loss to Coburg.
Tudor said the Cats would finalise their interchange bench later today, with Jay Cheep looming as a near-certain starter.
Tudor said the Cats learnt a number of fundamental lessons in their 34-points loss to Coburg last week, including the importance of sustained pressure around the football.
The Tigers were far superior for most of the match and once ahead in the second quarter, motored away in the unrelenting drizzle with the wet-weather smarts Geelong lacked.
Tudor said the Cats could not afford to bring that lackluster performance again this week against North Ballarat, which has emerged as one of the top teams in the VFL this year.
“We had lots to learn from last week. I would like to think we would win a bit more of our own ball this weekend and really try to take it up to North Ballarat, who are going to be off the rebound as well,” he said.
“We want to win our own ball and use it well and try to kick as many goals as we can.
Tudor said the experience of Tom Lonergan and Kane Tenace down back had been the major catalyst behind the sustained development of Adam Donohue and Jeremy Laider this year.
Donohue and Laidler, both dashing defenders, have been among the Cats’ best a number times already this season, playing in supporting roles to the Cats’ experienced defenders.
“Kane Tenace and David Johnson have been really good for us in our backline this year,” Tudor said.
“They’ve been outstanding as older, experience guys and hopefully they can keep teaching the younger guys down there with them.
“We’ve had a pretty consistent midfield this year and hopefully they can win a lot of their own ball and give our forwards enough opportunity to win us the game.
“The players learn a lot on game day from the players out there and during the week at training and that’s how it should be.
“That’s how they develop, by listening and watching the older guys, David Johnson, Kane and Tom Lonergan have been really good in showing the younger players the way to go this year.”
The match gets underway at 2pm.
