GEELONG coach Chris Scott has told Cats' supporters to strap themselves in because the uncertain journey ahead promises to be exciting.
After beating the Sydney Swans to record their best win of the season, the first in 2015 against a genuine contender, Scott conceded that while they were still behind the best teams they were a club on the up.
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"We're optimistic. In reality we're behind some of the best teams but it is hard to work out, isn't it?" Scott said.
"For our supporters I think it is exciting. We'd prefer it to be a little more certain but in some ways the journey is going to be a little more exciting than the certainty of years gone by."
Their fourth consecutive win came on the back of an outstanding performance by skipper Joel Selwood, whose 35 touches the coach said was the difference between a win and a loss.
But the performance also showcased an emerging midfield that took on and beat one of the best midfield combinations in recent seasons.
Scott said the group still had some yards to cover before they could be ranked among the game's best midfields but he saw blue skies ahead.
"I think we have an out and out champion who leads that group in there (Selwood) and then we have got a group of players who are knocking on the door of being very, very good AFL players," Scott said.
WATCH: Chris Scott's full post-match media conference
Joel Selwood, Steve Motlop, Cam Guthrie, Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy and Mitch Duncan had 156 disposals between them and they received great support from veterans Jimmy Bartel, who roamed wherever threats looked likely to emerge, and James Kelly.
Scott sensed that Selwood wanted to make amends for an ordinary performance against the Swans in round seven when the Cats lost by 43 points and he had just 19 disposals.
"I think that stung a bit. I think he was really keen to come out and do it against good opposition. The thing we love about the best players in the comp is they stand up against the best players when it really matters," Scott said.
"I'm not getting carried away with his game tonight but if we didn't have him we would not have won."
The Cats now face their nemesis of recent seasons Hawthorn in a blockbuster at the MCG with their hold on a top eight spot just 0.1 per cent if North Melbourne defeats Melbourne on Sunday.
They will have Steve Johnson available after serving his one-week suspension, with the enigmatic champion due to play his 250th game and they also have a relatively small injury list for the first time this season.
The Cats have kept the opposition to an average of just 56 points in the past four matches, their miserly defence responding brilliantly since conceding 18 goals to North Melbourne in round 15.
Scott said the team had once again identified what they need to do to defend well.
But he also knows the biggest test will come against the Hawks, the game's most efficient scorers.
It's enough to have Scott reaching for the worry beads.
"I think it is the coach's job to think about all the things that could go wrong so you are ready to respond if they do."
He is ready to embrace the uncertainty. The Cats are beginning another late season journey.
