Geelong coach Chris Scott believes the Cats are starting to find form again following a strong victory against the Swans last Sunday.
“They (Sydney) were good, and they made us play a style of play we weren’t happy with, but after quarter-time we rectified that,” Scott told the media after the game.
“I thought it was a better performance from us than we have displayed in the last month.”
Geelong kicked more than 100 points for the first time since round 12, after previously struggling in recent times to post high scores.
Scott said he was pleased that his players were able to overcome a slow start to register the 27-point win at the SCG.
“We’ve got a group of players that will fight very hard,” he said.
“We’ve never held the view this year that we’re the best team in the comp and we’re the ones to beat, our mindset is we need to fight and scrap for everything that we get.”
Milestone man Tom Hawkins starred in his 250th game finishing with 17 disposals and five goals.
The key-forward’s performance marked a strong return to form after failing to kick more than two goals in any of his last five matches.
Scott insisted Hawkins would be a threat to opposition clubs come finals.
“He is in a great head space at the moment and really enjoying his footy which I think is important,” Scott said.
“Physically he is in fantastic shape and I see no reason why he won’t be playing his best footy at the end of the season.”
The team travelled direct from the Sydney game to Perth for a week-long bonding camp ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
The previous time the two met was in round 22 last year where Geelong claimed a commanding 133-point victory.
Another win against the Dockers will allow the Cats to maintain their top spot on the ladder ahead of the final weeks of the home-and-away season.
But with it being almost a month away from finals, Scott said he was still navigating the mix of his best 22.
“We’ve worked really hard to get a squad of 27 or 28 and we’re happy to play all of them,” he said.
“If you look at the good teams historically, there are generally five or six that are unlucky not to get in the team and that is what we’re working to.”
Geelong will welcome back defender Zach Tuohy and forward Gary Rohan for Saturday’s clash after they were rested last week.
