Mark Thompson has coached Geelong since 2000, survived the fallout from their disastrous 2006 season and masterminded last year's historic AFL premiership.

So, we can say with some confidence that the man can coach.

But Thompson admitted he was unsure how to prepare Victoria for Saturday night's Hall Of Fame tribute match against the composite Dream Team at the MCG.

"I really don't know how to coach the team - coaching stars, coaching guys from other clubs," he said.

"How do we play? Do we give them a lot of instructions ... or just let them play and let them work it out for themselves?

"The players are going to have to have a big input into how we play and what happens."

Thompson admitted that at times in the last few weeks, he has been distracted by thoughts of how to counter the talent-packed Dream Team forward setup.

"We really have been trying to win games at Geelong, but deep in my mind I've been thinking about the talent on their forward line - (Matthew) Pavlich ... and Lance (Franklin) and (Cameron) Mooney.

"They've got talent, but in saying that, so have we."

Thompson is also determined that his team will display those talents.

On Tuesday, Dream Team coach Mark Williams declared they would look at tagging opponents.

Williams has been very chatty already in the lead-up to Saturday and it brings to mind the events of last year's grand final week.

Then, the Port Adelaide coach tried to prey on whatever nerves Geelong might have with several widely-reported comments.

But the Cats were ready and beat the Power by a record margin.

Thompson was asked if he thought Williams' tagging comments were a furphy and what he thought about the idea.

"First of all, you wouldn't know if it was a furphy or not, and secondly we're here to put on the best display of football we can with the best players," he said.

"No matter what we say to these guys, if we try and tell them to (play) a defensive, accountable game, they'll probably look at me and go `pfft' ... I'm going to encourage them to put on a show."

Thompson, never a media showman, also has a weapon to aim at Williams - his assistant and coaching legend, Kevin Sheedy.

"I'm going to leave it up to Sheeds this time, he's doing a bit of spruiking too for the Vics, and good on him, he's promoting the game really well," he said.

"Sheeds and `Chocco' (Williams) can go head-to-head there and hopefully I can concentrate on getting a game plan that's going to beat the Dream Team."

Thompson had a long and eventful history with Sheedy at Essendon and he is thoroughly enjoying this reunion with the old master.

Asked what it was like working with Sheedy again, Thompson deadpanned: "different".

He added: "long meetings, mad, crazy statements coming out, funny match-ups - but in all honesty, it's going to be fantastic.

"I love the guy and I love his mind, the way he thinks and he's just been a brilliant man.

"He's going to be very, very good to have as an assistant."

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