By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
CATS coach Chris Scott is hopes Saturday night’s clash with the table-topping Eagles will reveal a bit more about where his team sits in the overall scheme of things.
While exhibiting some cautious optimism about Geelong’s undefeated record so far, he remains unconvinced it means a top-four finish at season’s end.
“I’m of the view most years, and I don’t think this year will be any different, that it takes at least 10 games, probably more, till everyone has played each other once, to get a really good handle on where everyone sits,” Scott reflected this week.
“The teams that have played Hawthorn and Fremantle already probably are going pretty well even though they may have lost to those clubs.
“We had a good win on the weekend. We’re playing well enough to win the games we’ve played.
“But we have a pretty good idea of where we want to be and the type of footy we want to play and, relative to that, we’re a little bit off.”
But Scott did believe that West Coast was a potential top-four side.
“Their pre-season form was outstanding. They’ve changed the way they play a little bit, which always happens with a new coach.
“I think everyone’s been aware for a long time they have some great personnel. They probably haven’t had it on the field as often as they would have liked.
“But their strengths are very hard to combat. They’ve got some unique players in the competition.”
“Their form has been outstanding and we would have thought they’re one of those teams contending for that top-four position.”
Home-ground advantage might help Geelong’s cause somewhat, Scott suggested.
“They haven’t played down at Simonds Stadium for a while, so that’s going to be a little bit different for them.”
Scott also flagged going head-to-head with the Eagles, contending that Geelong had the personnel to “pit our strengths against theirs”.
“There’s a bit more flexibility in their team, no question of that. They have some players who have been very good forwards for them, up through the midfield a bit more.
“They’re definitely capitalising on their tall timber, not only their ruckman but they have tall forwards as well and they seem to have some pretty good system in the way they move the ball in there.”
Geelong’s healthy ruck stocks allowed the Cats to “take them head on a bit more than we have in the past”, Scott said.
“While we have a healthy respect for their guys, we also have a lot of faith in our big guys as well.
“We think we can at least break even in a lot of those contests so that gives you a better chance to set up the way you want at ground level.”
