Harley calls for Cat consistency

GEELONG was barely troubled by Port Adelaide on Sunday, but skipper Tom Harley is demanding more of his players heading into this weekend's blockbuster against St Kilda.

A first-quarter blitz and a third-term onslaught was all that was required to switch off the Power at Skilled Stadium, but there was an underlying air of dissatisfaction in the Cats' rooms following the game.

"You probably sensed a bit of a 'snarl' in the rooms afterwards," Harley said after the 34-point win.

"You can never take the game for granted and you've got to enjoy your wins, but you also critique all of your performances.

"We are happy with the win, but we've got to really just think about what's important to the team. It's not so much the result on the scoreboard.

"Our first and third quarters were as well as we've played all year which was just unbelievable, but the fluctuations in the second and fourth quarters are something that we really need to iron out – not for any particular game, but just for the betterment of the group.

"We won by five or six goals which most teams would take, but we've got to rise above that."

Harley forecast a "pretty honest" review of the match, in particular the final term when the seemingly disinterested Cats were outscored six goals to two by Port.

With the hype and anticipation surrounding the clash of two undefeated teams in round 14 of a season, Geelong' players could be forgiven for the fadeout, but Harley maintained it would not be swept under the rug.  

"If we play like we did in quarters one and three, we'll beat them [St Kilda]. If we play like we did in two and four, we'll get smashed. So there's certainly areas to work on," he said.

"It's a unique position to be in, which is really good because the group wants to get better.

"The St Kilda game, to be honest, has probably come around at a really good time for us.

"They might be feeling the same - I don't know. They've had some close games as well against some of their opponents. If you can't get up for this game, you'll never get up for one."

While admitting his excitement at the prospect of the big game, Harley is also looking forward to a return of something approaching normality for the Cats.
 
"The whole footy world is talking about the St Kilda game," he said.

"It will probably be a relief when it's over. I don't think the result one way or another will dictate how the season is going to pan out.

"It'll be a cracking game."