As Fremantle selectors pick a team to take on Geelong next Saturday, they must answer a pivotal question - how many underdone players are too many?

Too many, that is, to play midfield against the slick Cats on the biggest ground in the AFL.

Even if both David Mundy and Michael Barlow are fit, it is doubtful both can play in this match. And if one has to miss, then which one?

The Dockers believe ruckman Aaron Sandilands will play. If he does, can the Dockers beat the Cats with a No.1 ruckman who hasn't played in six weeks, palming to one prime midfielder who hasn't played in seven weeks and another who hasn't played at all?

Teams spend an enormous amount of training time doing match simulation.

Games are only part of the conditioning they are building.

And all three - Sandilands, Mundy and Barlow - have historical