Geelong coach Chris Scott insists his Cats won't be going into Saturday's away clash against Sydney feeling they must win to prove they are the real deal.
Neither the Cats or Swans have yet achieved the crushing consistency and high standards of recent seasons.
After starting with three straight wins, Sydney lost successive matches to Fremantle and Western Bulldogs, before vanquishing Melbourne last week.
The Cats head into the ANZ Stadium encounter in 12th position with a 3-3 record, although their last outing was an impressive win over Collingwood.
"We're not going into the game thinking that we've got to prove ourselves against one of the best oppositions in the competition to prove that we are the genuine article," Scott said.
Throughout the week Sydney coach John Longmire and his players have declared Geelong are back to their best, based on their first-half scorching of the Magpies.
"We're expecting them to come out and play some physical football," said superstar forward Lance Franklin.
"It's going to have to be a four-quarter effort against a quality side."
Scott is conscious of trying to rectify the third-quarter malaise that has afflicted his team this season.
The Cats have been outscored 25 goals to 14 in that quarter, winning just one across the first six games.
Geelong suffered their biggest ever interstate defeat when the clubs last met, losing by 110 points at the SCG.
"It was the last time we played them, so it does have some relevance, but we're a very very different team," Scott said.
"They are playing a slightly different system as well and we had a difficult preparation leading into that game.
"We're much better prepared this time."
He has Mathew Stokes back from an Achilles injury, while former Demon Sam Blease will make his Geelong debut.
Captain Joel Selwood is expected to play despite having had a hand problem and Mitch Clark is also listed, after showing signs of distress in the aftermath of last weekend's win.
Sydney have recalled Dean Towers to replace injured rookie sensation Isaac Heeney.
Share
