By Natalee Kerr
Geelong will head home to take on another reigning finalist when they meet last year’s premier, West Coast, this Sunday.
The Cats will seek to continue their in-form start to the season, having knocked off three of last year’s finalists in the opening five rounds.
Geelong Coach Chris Scott said the visitors would be a great “test” for the group despite the Cats winning five-straight games against the Eagles at Kardinia Park.
“We still rate them really, really highly,” he said.
“They’re always a challenge and I think playing the premier from last year is kind of as good as it gets in terms of trying to work out where we are.
“In analysing their team there aren’t too many flaws.”
The top-of-the-ladder Cats are coming off the back of a 23-point win over Hawthorn at the MCG last Monday.
Geelong held off a late comeback from the Hawks to bank the side’s fourth win of the season in front of a crowd numbering 66,347.
Recruit Gary Rohan was the star of the match, finishing with four goals and 12 disposals.
Scott said he had been impressed with the forward’s contribution this season.
“It’s not out of the question that he could play behind the ball or a bit more in the midfield as well,” he said.
“We’re trying to keep our options open and be a bit more open to the possibility’s that his best footy could be well and truly in front of him.”
Meanwhile, the Eagles are rebounding off a frustrating 42-point loss at home against Port Adelaide.
The Power ended the Eagles’ three-game winning streak in a blistering effort that left Port leading at every break for the entire match.
Scott said the Cats would not be paying “too much attention” to the Power’s success.
“We don’t really feel at the moment we need to completely manufacture our game style week to week to be competitive.
“They (West Coast) had a slip up last week … but I think all of the really good teams slip up every now and then.”
The Cats are dominating the scoreboard after round five with an average 97 points a game, ranking them the highest-scoring team this season.
Scott said Geelong’s capacity to score has been “really important” for his group.
“If you completely ignore the scoring aspect of it then I don’t think you’re ever going to be able to compete with the really good teams,” he said.
“The team that has the capacity to kick two or three or four quick ones generally is the one that wins because it’s very difficult to maintain that defensive structure all night.”
Geelong will be without forward Brandan Parfitt due to a corked thigh, while West Coast’s Tom Barrass is sidelined due to a foot injury.
