Andrew Brayshaw expects Fremantle to atone for last year's embarrassing first-up defeat in Geelong with a far more competitive showing to kick off their fresh bid for a maiden AFL premiership.
Widely tipped to be among the flag contenders in 2026, the Dockers open the season for a second straight year against the Cats at GMHBA Stadium.
It brings back nightmarish memories from 12 months ago, when Justin Longmuir's men were thrashed by 78 points despite Murphy Reid's stunning four-goal debut.
But Brayshaw noted the Dockers have won on two of their past three trips to the Kardinia Park venue over the past four seasons.
"I know we lost quite poorly there last year, but we do think we play there well," Brayshaw said ahead of Saturday's test.
"It does change the way you play a little bit. Skinnier boundaries makes you have to guard the corridor a lot more, it feels like.
"So there's little nuances in that, but we're expecting to go out there and try to put on a really good performance.
"The two games prior to last year's game we've gone over there and put up really good efforts.
"We're expecting Geelong's best this weekend and we're expecting to bring our best and really give it to them."
Reid kicked four goals in a six-minute burst in round one last year, in what was a silver lining on a dismal day for the Dockers.
He went on to win the Rising Star award in a brilliant individual season across half-forward and now enters Fremantle's on-ball rotation.
Brayshaw and Caleb Serong are the midfield mainstays, with versatile Luke Jackson, Hayden Young, Neil Erasmus and Matt Johnson also in the mix.
"I expect big things form Murph this year. He's trained really well," Brayshaw said.
"He's spending a little bit more time inside and is looking really classy, so I'm excited to see what he can bring this weekend."
Longmuir is expected to have close to a full list to choose from against Geelong but won't be able to call upon Michael Frederick, who suffered an ankle injury at training last week.
"Freddy has had an amazing pre-season and was looking really fit and raring to go," Brayshaw said.
"I know that he's had a scan on the weekend and looked visibly upset about what happened in Friday's training session.
"He'll find out the details of that probably tomorrow but I do know that we've got a lot of depth in that forward line and a lot of young players who are really eager to play.
"If we don't have Freddy for however many weeks it's going to be, I've got no doubt that someone's going to step up and play that role."
