GEELONG'S 13-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday moved the club level on points with second-placed Hawthorn, but the victory drew only muted praise from coach Chris Scott.
"I think we're happy enough to get away with a win, but I wouldn't say we're happy with the way we played," was Scott's reaction to the result.
"Particularly early, we were well and truly on top, and then just a few little lapses probably gave them a sniff."
The coach was disappointed that his men finished with 36 less contested possessions than the Dogs.
"I thought in the 50-50s in really tight … they were just a little bit better than us, and that's not ideal," Scott added.
"The contested ball numbers were skewed by the free-kick count (which finished 25-13 in the Bulldogs' favour), so you can sort of make a bit of an excuse there if you want to.
"But … whether you like it or not, if you don't get right inside the contest you're going to get smashed at the contested ball.
"Because holding the ball is out the window, one-metre handballs and lots of numbers in and around the contest is the way you have to play if the opposition is doing that. And we were just a little bit too outside today."
The Cats finished with 129 tackles, which is the second-highest number since the stat was first recorded.
Although Scott was pleased his men were prepared to harass their opponents, he felt the high number was a result of them being second to the ball.
"That's the conundrum," he said. "I would prefer on balance that we're a little more inside and getting to the ball first.
"But I did think we tackled really well. Sometimes we gave away free kicks, but I thought the intent was pretty good.
"The game has changed. If you get stuck too far outside, especially in these slippery conditions, you're going to be tackling a lot."
The free kick count had the Geelong fans up in arms during the game, but Scott was measured in his assessment of the whistle-blowers.
"The numbers are what they are," he said. "We're not here to make excuses or complaints. We all have bad days. And if they had a bad day, so be it.
"We've got to suck it up and get on with it. And if there's parts we don't understand, then we'll have a mature conversation during the week with the powers that be."
Scott was delighted with Steve Johnson's return to form in the midfield. Johnson finished with 25 disposals, 14 tackles and a goal.
"I thought he was good around the contest," Scott said. "He's actually a good wet weather player.
"You'd think with his skills and the things he can do with the ball that the dry conditions would suit him more.
"But he's really good in tight. He's really good in a contest. He's big and strong and smart with the ball, so we thought he was really influential tonight."
The Cats have a great chance to force their way into the top four in the coming fortnight with matches against Melbourne (MCG) and Greater Western Sydney (Spotless Stadium).
"Our best footy is well and truly in front of us," Scott said. "We're in a position where our destiny is in our own hands and I think there are five teams … that are all saying the same thing.
"From that perspective I think this is going to be a really exciting season.
"I can tell you, we're not pessimistic about it."
