Geelong are spoiling for a September rematch against Richmond after falling agonisingly short against the "beatable" reigning premiers at the MCG.
Gary Ablett missed a flying shot on goal with less than two minutes left in Friday night's thriller, allowing the Tigers to hang on for their record 19th straight win - 12.13 (85) to 12.10 (82) - at the 'G' front of over 67,000 fans.
The loss leaves the Cats in a scrap to make the eight, but if they do get there, coach Chris Scott wants another crack at Richmond.
"We're disappointed but we're not discouraged with the performance," Scott said.
"We had our chances to win ... I thought we had the better of the game for big parts of it.
"So I don't think that anyone from our footy club should be walking away thinking that we need to change things drastically to beat them.
"They're the best side in it at the moment but they need a lot to go right for them to win it ... no question.
"... If we're good enough over the next six or seven weeks and we get another chance to play them - hopefully we do - we'll give ourselves a really good chance.
"I think there are other teams in the same boat ... they're a good team but they're beatable."
The Cats were brave with their ball movement through the middle of the ground, which paid off handsomely on occasion but also allowed Richmond to hurt them on the rebound.
The high-risk, high-reward approach could prove instructive for other teams against a side Scott feels doesn't have the same aura as some premiers of the past.
"They've won 19 games at the MCG in a row - they are good," he said.
"(But) when you talk about the juggernauts of the competition of years gone by you're just never in the game against them.
"I don't see that (with the Tigers).
"We went down by less than a kick and we think we can play better."
Rhys Stanley was a late withdrawal with a calf complaint but Scott expects the recently re-signed ruckman to be available for next week's clash against Hawthorn.
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