Coach Chris Scott feels he's finally found the mix of players to lead Geelong to a ninth straight AFL finals campaign, following Saturday's 27-point win over Greater Western Sydney.
The Cats dominated the match, especially the first half, to post the 6.6 (42) to 9.15 (69) victory - their first ever at Canberra's Star Track Oval.
Forward Tom Hawkins starred with five goals and Steven Motlop kicked two from a game-high 31 disposals.
It takes their season record to 8-7 and keeps them in touch with the top eight, with six games remaining.
With blustery conditions making for a scrappy and low-scoring affair, Scott said it was his men's defence and experience that won the match.
While Hawkins and Motlop were the standouts, the Cats had contributors across the ground - an aspect that pleased Scott and has him optimistic about the future.
"We thought we had one of our better teams of the year in," he said.
"The balance between the experienced guys, getting (Joel) Selwood and (Jimmy) Bartel in the middle with (Cameron) Guthrie, (Josh) Caddy and (Mitch) Duncan, was a good look for us today.
"We know that's not going to work perfectly every week, but taking a longer-term view, we think that performance - with that blend of youth and experience - was positive."
But Scott stopped short of labelling this round a turning point.
"I hope it is, but I don't know," he added.
"We've gone from having one fit emergency and 24 or 25 players on the track a couple of weeks ago ... and we had 40 on the track this week.
"It is turning around a little bit.
"It's not a great message to sell to your players that once we get personnel back, we'll be OK. But you're also kidding yourself if you think personnel doesn't play a part.
"We think we're better placed now than we were six weeks ago."
While the defeat doesn't spell the end for the Giants, it makes the run to a maiden playoffs tougher.
Apart from a mini comeback in the third quarter, they were mauled - particularly up front - by the Cats.
It was their lowest score at the venue this year, in front of the biggest Canberra crowd of 14,667.
Coach Leon Cameron said he was especially disappointed with the first 40 minutes of the game, in which his side managed just a single goal - albeit a stunning overhead kick by Toby Greene in the third minute.
"You can't waste 40 minutes against Geelong ... there's no excuse," he said.
"The 50-50 games against sides that are around the mark with us on the ladder, are the games that we need to get better at."
To add to Cameron's woes, Rhys Palmer was taken off in the first quarter with a corked hamstring.
Geelong next face Brisbane at home and GWS play Fremantle in Perth.
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