GEELONG has recalled ruckman Zac Smith for his first game in two months for Sunday's clash against Sydney at the SCG.

A carryover emergency in last week's loss to Hawthorn, it is understood Smith will play his second game of the season after also playing in the round 11 win against the Swans. 

It comes as a critical time for the 29-year-old who remains out of contract at season's end after just four games in the past two seasons.

"Their (Swans) brand has been built around contest and stoppage work and that was one of the best stoppage games (round 11) we've had for the year," coach Chris Scott said on Thursday.

"(We had) big scores from stoppage numbers, I think it's unfair to say it was because of one player but it doesn't hurt Zac that he was playing in the ruck that day."

Incumbent ruckman Rhys Stanley will remain in the squad named on Thursday night and be part of the squad that travels direct from Sydney to Perth before next week's game against Fremantle. 

Scott conceded the Cats were "boring to watch" in the loss to the Hawks on Sunday.

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"Playing exciting footy is not our priority necessarily," he said.

"I think over the course of a long period of time, well and truly before I arrived at Geelong, we have tended to play an attractive style of footy.

"But I don't think it's ever been at the expense of giving ourselves the best chance to win.

"I'd probably reference some of the good footy we were playing early in the year when we were well and truly up there in terms of the ladder for points for.

"Was it daring footy? I'm not convinced of that either but I don't resile from the fact that we were boring to watch and we took some options that weren't our preference on the weekend.

"I don't think we'll be all-out attack this week, but hopefully the viewership will have a better time watching the hoops."

Quinton Narkle is in the frame to play for his first match of the season against the Swans after a 30-disposal game in the VFL and will be part of a squad that also includes Scott Selwood.

With Geelong's VFL team having the bye this week, Sam Menegola will travel with the AFL team after returning from a knee injury in the VFL last week, however is more likely to play against the Dockers in round 20. 

Brandan Parfitt, who has been struck down with a back injury, will miss at least another week.

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