Pressure all on Geelong: Dockers coach - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Pressure all on Geelong: Dockers coach

By Justin Chadwick 07/09/2010 12:48:17 PM Comments (0)

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey believes all the pressure will be on Geelong in Friday night's AFL semi-final at the MCG, claiming his team has nothing to lose.

The Dockers are $6 outsiders against defending premiers Geelong ($1.11) but Harvey said Fremantle's underdog status would play in their favour.

"We've got nothing to lose now," Harvey said.

"They're expected to play in a prelim final, if not a grand final.

"So all the pressure's in their backyard and we'll see what they've got and how far they go."

Harvey remained confident ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who hurt his knee in last week's win over Hawthorn, would be fit to tackle the Cats.

"He'll be the fifth goalpost, he'll be playing," Harvey told Perth radio station 6PR.

"(It was a) direct blow to his kneecap, he's got a bit of fluid on his knee.

"At this stage all indications are there will be no problems playing."

Scattered showers are forecast for Melbourne on Friday and Harvey said he might make a late change to his team if rain eventuated.

"We'll bring a squad of 25 and based on a little bit about weather, if we need to make a change or two that's what we'll do," he said.

"But the first priority is to pick a team that we know first-up in dry conditions (will do well) and we'll see what happens from there."

Retiring midfielder Paul Hasleby and Rhys Palmer are pushing hard for recalls, with Jesse Crichton's spot in doubt after collecting just four disposals against the Hawks.

The Dockers haven't played at the MCG this season but will train at the venue on Thursday.

"A couple of our guys will look around and say 'well what in the hell is going on here' because they haven't been there before," Harvey said.

Although Fremantle have sorely missed injured small forward Hayden Ballantyne, Harvey praised the work of unheralded utility Matt de Boer, who has tallied 18 tackles in his past three matches.

"His endeavour and will to put himself in situations and be daring where a lot of other players wouldn't do that, that's the number one reason why Matt De Boer's in our team," Harvey said.

"It's been a highlight and it's becoming a trend now that some of the other younger players are saying 'well OK if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for us'."

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