Geelong want the "crash" factor back in their game against Fremantle at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

Defender Andrew Mackie says the Cats at their best thrive on physical contests, but that has been less evident as their form has tailed off over the past two months of the AFL season.

"I just don't think we've hunted the contest as much as we probably used to," Mackie said.

"We generally like to just crash in and that sort of thing.

"We've been lacking a bit of intensity, so this week it would be good if we could ramp up a four-quarter effort. If we can do that then we'll be hard to beat."

Mackie struggles to identify why second-placed Geelong have not been able to consistently hit top gear as they have lost four of their past eight games.

He acknowledges an unsettled line-up due to regular injuries might have played a part.

But he is sceptical of the theory that being cemented in the top two a long way out of the finals dulled their competitive edge.

"I'm not sure, time will tell whether it is that, because it's coming to the crunch time," he said.

"I definitely don't think it is, we're capable of doing it.

"I'm not sure why it hasn't been happening, but it's probably time to start doing it."

But Mackie also believes that part of the reason might be that the rest of the competition has made ground on St Kilda and the Cats, after they looked a class ahead over the first half of the season.

"There's no denying that teams have got better," he said.

"We're obviously not playing our best but other sides are improving and that's how good the comp is at the minute.

"... We definitely know that there are four, five or six teams that are definitely thereabouts.

"All we can do is worry about how we're going and get everyone right and play that style of footy which we know can hold up in the bigger games."

Along with a return to their physical best against the Dockers, the other indicator the Cats want to see is a strong return performance from Brad Ottens.

The club's best big man has not played in the senior side since injuring his knee in round two, but Mackie predicts he will have a big say on their premiership chances.

"It makes us all walk a bit taller with the big guy out there," he said.

"We're not expecting a huge lot from him, but he'll definitely be better for the run leading into the finals and if he can get even close to what he usually is he'll definitely have an influence."

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