Halfway through the season, the jury is still out on Geelong's rightful place within the AFL pecking order.
But while the club grapple with managing an ageing list, coach Chris Scott says the Cats aren't taking 2015 as a year in transition.
"I think it's an important message to our supporters that we're up for the fight," he said after Geelong's Friday night win over Port Adelaide.
"We have a level of optimism that if things go right, we can compete with anyone ... (and) we want it now."
The Cats were well-serviced by a number of rising stars in their 23-point win at Adelaide Oval, with Josh Caddy (26 disposals, two goals) and Cameron Guthrie (23 touches, one goal) leading the way.
The win took the Cats' record to six wins and five losses at the halfway point of the season but Scott said it was difficult to gauge the side's prospects.
"Everyone across the competition who knows what they're doing is looking at it with a little bit of uncertainty at the moment, I think, trying to work out where teams sit," he said.
"Every game that you can scrape over the line in helps keep you in contention."
One of the most-impressive performances in the win over the Power came from agile ruckman Rhys Stanley, who racked up two goals, 17 disposals and 24 hitouts before being sidelined with a foot complaint late in the third period.
It's not yet known how serious the injury is but Geelong are hopeful the early detection of the niggle will minimise any damage.
The Cats could also be without veteran midfielder James Kelly, subbed off halfway through the first quarter with an injured right ankle after colliding awkwardly with Port hard nut Ollie Wines.
"Hopefully, it's not on the serious end of the scale," Scott said of Kelly's injury.
Geelong will host Melbourne at Skilled Stadium in round 12 before going into the bye the following week.
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