Coach Chris Scott says it's uncharacteristic skill errors, rather than a lack of attacking intent, which are the biggest issue for a Geelong team in danger of missing the AFL finals for only the second time in 12 years.
The ninth-placed Cats need to win their remaining two games against Fremantle and Gold Coast, and hope other results go their way, if they are to play a part in the September action.
They have come up just short in their past two games against Richmond and Hawthorn, despite finishing strongly on both occasions and with superstar trio Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood combining for 94 possessions against the Hawks.
"Often coaches can go back to that and say 'we're just not executing' and it can be a bit superficial but I just think that's real with us," Scott told reporters on Thursday.
"Anyone that thinks we haven't been attacking enough either hasn't been watching us closely enough or doesn't understand footy.
"What's been missing with our attempts to attack a bit more has been the execution - basic fundamental errors.
"If we clean that up we're a much, much better team."
Swingman Harry Taylor is set to play only his sixth match of an injury-interrupted season at home on Saturday against a Dockers side well out of the finals race.
The two-time All-Australian successfully completed a VFL game last weekend and insists he's feeling the best he has all year having battled ongoing foot problems.
"It was a cautious return I thought, but he did what he needed to do," said Scott.
"It was match practice for him rather than a performance-based process."
First-choice ruckman Rhys Stanley will miss the rest of the home and away season after reinjuring his calf in the 11-point loss to the Hawks and is no certainty to return even if the Cats advance to the finals.
"Suffice it to say that it is serious so he won't play this week or next week - I think that's pretty clear," said Scott.
"After that it's a little bit grey.
"It will be fairly fluid.
"We are optimistic that he could play again this year, but we've obviously got a bit of work to do to give him that opportunity."
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