GEELONG'S form going into the finals will be more important than its finishing spot according to coach Chris Scott.
The Cats are well placed to finish in the top four after their win over the Tigers, however they will need to win one of their last two to guarantee a double chance.
But with the post-season bye ahead of the finals Scott said the Cats' focus with two games remaining was bigger than their ladder position.
"The difference between fourth and fifth (or fourth and sixth) might not be that great," Scott said.
"What will be more important is that you are playing really well and you have got good availability."
Five talking points: Geelong v Richmond
The Cats will welcome back midfielder Mitch Duncan from suspension next week but will be without Tom Hawkins once again.
They may have also lost Rhys Stanley after Scott confirmed he spent the last quarter on the bench due to a calf injury.
Scott said the win against the Tigers was full of merit as it highlighted that the collective was much more powerful than any individuals.
WATCH: Chris Scott's full post-match media conference
"It was going to be one which required consistency and unity across our whole 22 [to win]," Scott said.
"I think we got that."
Although he praised the performances of Harry Taylor and Steve Motlop, Scott said the team's defensive effort underpinned the win.
He described the Cats' turnaround in that area from the previous week when they conceded more than 100 points against the Swans as "massive".
"Richmond play a style now where they put you under pressure in their forward half. They go forward fast and generally you're going to be under pressure under them so if you don't stand up you're going to get steamrolled," Scott said.
"Our guys, tall and small, were good."
Scott reserved special praise for the performances of the relatively inexperienced quartet Jed Bews, Jake Kolodjashnij, Tom Stewart and Zach Guthrie, who all performed well.
"Some guys who are sub-50 game players were as good as anyone in that respect," Scott said.
Scott's faith in Bews and Stewart was shown several times when he was prepared to leave either one of those players matched up on Richmond dynamo Dustin Martin inside the forward 50 in the second half.
Scott said the game against Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday shaped as a tough proposition.
