After conceding nine goals in a 20-minute period when they played the Dockers in Round 23, Schulz says slowing the speed of Fremantle’s ball movement will help to prevent another burst of goals.
“If the ball’s coming in quick, its very hard for your defenders to try and stop ball movement,” Schulz said.
“Our forwards and midfielders play such a big role in making sure the ball isn’t getting in there cleanly and quickly.
“Team defence these days is such a massive thing for every club.
“You’re not one person defending, you’re not six backs, you’re 18 on the ground and you all have to defend together to stop good sides.
“The boys are confident going over there, and we give ourselves a good chance, but make no mistake, we know who we’re going to play and what sort of footy we have to play to get the job done, and that’s our best footy.”
While there is plenty of focus on defence leading into Saturday’s clash, Schulz said it is still important for his teammates to share the goal kicking load.
“Every side likes to have as many goal kickers as they can and as even a spread as they can, because that just makes it so much harder for the defenders to figure out which player they need to shut down."
Schulz kicked six goals in the Round 23 loss, but only two in the Power’s demolition of Richmond in last Sunday’s elimination final.
10 teammates shared in the goal kicking during that game, including a host of midfielders.
Things will be tough again for Schulz this week up against the likes of Fremantle's Alex Silvagni - a defender the Power's principal attacker rates highly.
“I really think people underrate [him].”
“He’s super quick and he’s really strong in the contest and I think he played really well on Buddy last week.
“I’ve got enormous respect for him as a player.”
