GEELONG midfielder Cameron Ling admits the club's opening round win over Port Adelaide was far from perfect, but says it reinforces the Cats' belief they can beat any side anywhere.

The reigning AFL premiers downed the Power 15.15 (105) to 14.12 (96), withstanding a late Port charge at AAMI Stadium on Thursday night.

While it was a far cry from the form the Cats showed in whipping the Power by 119 points in last year's Grand Final, Ling said beating a quality side interstate was important.

"We've now really got that mindset if we play our way we can win anywhere," Ling said.

"It doesn't matter who we're playing or where we're playing, so that was the big thing."

He conceded there were some rustiness, particularly some poor kicking under the type of pressure the players have not experienced for about six months.

"You can train as much as you like and you can do it in a practice match as much as you like, but just that real pressure and intensity and you've still got to deliver the ball well and make smart decisions, we'll do a bit of work on that," Ling said.

"... it was just getting back used to that real craziness of a serious senior game of footy.

For opposition sides searching for any signs of vulnerability in the clear premiership favourites, they might have gained some hope in the fact that the Cats were thrashed in the ruck, 46 hitouts to 14.

With Brad Ottens missing with an ankle injury, experienced duo Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan were too strong for young Cats pairing Mark Blake and Trent West.

But Ottens will almost certainly return for next weekend's Telstra Dome clash with Essendon.

"We all know how good a player he is, he's a fantastic ruckman, can go forward and he's just such a big presence on the ground," Ling said.

"Hopefully the ankle's alright and he'll line up, I know he was pretty close to playing last night.

"I thought Blakey and Westy against probably two of the best ruckmen going around in the competition really held their own well.

"Westy came off the ground and said he had to keep working on his strength, it was a real eye-opener for him about how strong you've got to be to be a senior ruckman."

Teenaged key forward Tom Hawkins showed he will slot in well in place of Nathan Ablett, who quit the game after being part of last year's premiership.

While the trimmed-down Hawkins took six marks and kicked a quality goal, Ling said just as important was his willingness to provide a strong aerial contest.

"He showed that he can crash a pack and create some crumbs for the small forwards and also slot a few every now and then, kick a couple goals," Ling said.

"Hopefully he'll have a big year."