Greig said while Geelong’s Victorian Football League squad would not be finalised until its AFL line-up was confirmed on Saturday night, the Roosters had prepared for all scenarios. 

“Geelong like to zone off on their defence and their defenders work together and help each other out, that is what they have been renowned for over a number of years,” he said. 

“We have to think our way around that… so we’ve been doing a couple of different things at training in regards to practising that.”

But Greig said the Roosters’ own defence had been improving every week since the team had made the switch to a zone defence rather than man on man in the round four match against Sandringham. 

One hundred per cent commitment from the players was required to get the full benefit from the style of play, which included applying pressure to cause turnovers and, as a result, creating score opportunities. 

To do this, Greig said communication and organisation were key.

“We’ve got to keep knuckling down and making sure we have everyone playing their role, not one or two following the man around,” Greig said.

“Sometimes when some of the younger guys come in, because they might have missed two or three games playing local footy, they might get into a habit (of man on man).” 

Greig said from the vision of the game against Williamstown last week, it was evident the Roosters had forced the second-placed team to go around them.

“They did it successfully, but we would rather they go around us and not use the corridor,” Greig said. 

“We guard the corridor a lot better than we did earlier in the year, which keeps us in games and helps us get turnovers, which gives us opportunities to score.”

Greig said the Cats, similar to their AFL affiliate, liked to handball and often had nearly as many handballs as kicks. 

“We have been good for periods of the game against two of the best teams in the competition,” Greig said.

“Geelong is just above us on the ladder – this is another genuine opportunity to win a  game of footy, but we have to make the most of our chances early. 

“Last week we let ourselves down with basic misses in front of goal.”

Greig wanted to see his team keep fighting, running and attacking, while being consistent over the four quarters and getting off to a strong start. 

“Our last quarters seem to be really strong in regards to score, we know we come home well, so fitness isn’t an issue,” Greig said.

“It’s a matter of jumping out of the blocks and actually putting some scoreboard pressure on the other team for a change rather than be a goal or two down at quarter time and then fighting back.”