David Mundy says Freo’s win at Simonds Stadium on Saturday is evidence that effort, not the venue, will decide who advances to the grand final in a fortnight.

Freo overcame an imposing Geelong record at Simonds to earn a preliminary final at Patersons Stadium.

The Cats had won 49 of their past 51 games at the ‘Cattery’.

Freo has been similarly intimidating at Patersons Stadium this season, winning all but one game at the ground.

But Mundy warned that the club could not expect its home ground advantage to carry it over the line against either Sydney or Carlton.

“It's a massive thing for the club and for the playing group to have a home prelim, but we saw on Saturday that a patch of grass means not much on game day,” he said.

“It's just about your effort and how hard you're willing to go.”

Mundy highlighted the club’s strong performance in the clearances as a key indicator in the win over the Cats.

After Geelong had led clearances 10-7 at quarter-time, Freo monstered their opponents 36-12 over the next three quarters.

“We tried to work hard in there and stick to basic football, basics seem to get it done in the heat of the battle,” Mundy said.

“The entire midfield group, and the half-backs and half-forwards running through there, really knuckled down and put their head over the footy and worked really hard, it was great.”

A major factor in Freo’s engine room dominance was champion ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who silenced his doubters with a master-class stoppage mauling of his less-experienced Geelong opponents.

“I thought he was really good, he was a huge advantage and I think we are seeing the best of Aaron now,” Mundy said.

“He is coming good at the right time of the season for us and getting a bit of run in his legs, which is great.”

Mundy also lauded theefforts of the club’s lower profile players, such as Lee Spurr and Cam Sutcliffe.

Spurr had 29 disposals, 10 marks and two goals, while Sutcliffe, who has often been a sub this season, played the entire game and was important in a defence missing three regulars.

Mundy said not being reliant on one or two players to star had been the trademark of the team all season long.

“There's been guys popping up and playing their role and doing what they can for the team all year,” he said.

“The same thing happened again on Saturday, it was no great surprise really.”