CHRIS Scott says Geelong will gain more out of its defensive efforts than its record 23 goals in a row during Saturday's 133-point obliteration of Fremantle.
The Cats kept the Dockers goalless after quarter-time, Scott going on to claim the third-biggest win of his coaching tenure.
Gaining more than eight percentage points to move into the top eight, Scott was most pleased by his side not taking their foot off the pedal to hold the Dockers to three majors.
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"I'm pretty defence-first in my attitude and we are as a coaching group and we have been as a club for a long time, so I think we'll lean towards the defensive side of it," he said.
"I think there are two parts of it, one is the part you don't like talking about too much, which is the percentage, which could still be really important.
"I think the players are smart enough to understand it is important.
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"And the second part, and more importantly in my view is trying to play the way we want to play.
"We don't have any room to rest on our laurels or take liberties with our system so that was the commitment the players made, and I thought they delivered on that really well."
Geelong surpassed the previous record of 16 unanswered majors in an AFL game, last matched by Sydney against Richmond in 2016.
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With destiny now back in their hands, the Cats only need to beat Gold Coast to book their 11th finals campaign in 12 years.
Forward Daniel Menzel was rested late in the match to manage his ongoing groin soreness, while Harry Taylor was put on ice in the final term in his first game back from a foot setback.
Taylor, who played forward in the middle stages of the season, returned to defence for the first time since round one.
Scott stopped short of confirming where he will play next week and beyond, should the Cats qualify for September.
"I'm not sure I want to tell you, that's the reason for the hesitancy," Scott said.
"At his best, he's a very strong defender for us and he fits into that group, so I don't think we've got any structural headaches in terms of trying to fit him in.
"We like the idea that he can go forward. Of those guys who were predominantly down back today, he's the most likely to go forward if that gives you some sort of insight into what we're thinking."
Taylor's return saw rookie sensation Jack Henry play in attack, alongside Tom Hawkins (six goals) and Brandan Parfitt (four goals).
Parfitt played more of an attacking role in the absence of a traditional crumber, the Cats playing for the first time this year without one of Lincoln McCarthy, Lachie Fogarty, Cory Gregson, Jamaine Jones or Quinton Narkle.
Ruckman Ryan Abbott impressed in his second AFL game in the absence of Rhys Stanley who missed with a calf complaint.
While Stanley will be sidelined against the Suns, the Cats will hope to regain defender Jed Bews from his shoulder injury sustained in round 20.
