Confidence in Cats hard to maintain

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Go on, say it. The Cats can't win the flag.

Say it again. The Cats can't win the flag.

Say it as many times you like, but you won't be able to convince yourself to absolutely believe it.

BENNELL, SUNS SINK FLAT CATS

HOT HARLEY BLOWS SCOTT, CATS AWAY

The commentary on Sunday was all about Geelong after they were scorched by the show-timers on the Gold Coast, but no one was definitive enough to call it.

Six and half seasons of professionalism, of will power and of self belief does that.

Still, the Cats might be a good side, but they aren't playing good footy against the teams which matter most.

Joel Selwood tries to evade Trent McKenzie. Source: Getty Images

They have lost four games this season — to Port Adelaide, Fremantle, Sydney and now Gold Coast.

Three of them sit above them on the ladder, while the Suns are a game behind.

Their significant victories came against Hawthorn, Collingwood and North Melbourne. Of the rest, they scraped over Carlton and just held off Richmond. And they beat the others as they should have.

We know why we can't write them off, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to maintain your confidence that they can actually win it.

Genuine premiership threats win on the road.

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This year the Cats are 0-4. Last year, they went 4-1. The year before, when put out on elimination final weekend, they went 1-4.

The season before that, the 2011 premiership, they had a 4-1 record on the road.

Certainly, the interstate win-loss result is not the be all and end all, but there's a trend for Geelong.

The last two losses have raised serious questions. The 110-point loss to Sydney was a once in a decade defeat but the loss to the Suns on Saturday night was most un-Geelong like.

The Suns kicked eight successive goals either side of three-quarter time.

Shane Kersten is swamped by teammates after kicking a goal. Source: Getty Images

Remember also the Port Adelaide loss. That was by 40 points. If it wasn't Geelong, you'd accuse them of giving up in all three matches.

Coach Chris Scott said the scoreline on Saturday night blew out because the Cats tried to chase victory rather than fatigue.

The facts is, no matter if you're chasing victory or defending to the death, or whether you're fatigued or running on the top of the ground, the fact is the Gold Coast munched Geelong for a quarter and a half.

The game was over early in the final quarter because Geelong didn't have the weapons to compete.

Always when they lose, the query is leg speed. It's a cop out most times, but not on Saturday night.

Steven Motlop celebrates a goal with Josh Caddy. Source: Getty Images

As the Cats battled to compete, Harley Bennell, Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia, Jarrrod Harbrow, David Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara time and again found themselves streaming downfield with numbers in support.

Shane Kersten was a positive as the second key forward behind Tom Hawkins and that combination may well decide whether the Cats can make top four or run with the pack below it.

Steve Motlop continued his climb to full fitness and full output and Allen Christiansen was solid, so there's some light.

Joel Selwood found significant ball for the first time in three matches and Steve Johnson too, but they went at 54 per cent and 56 per cent efficiency, which means they were sloppy.

There are other queries. Players such as Billie Smedts, Jordan Murdoch and Josh Walker, well they flash in and flash out, and Walker at this stage of his career barely flashes at all.

Overall, the attitude is an issue. That Cats once were warriors. Now they are pedestrian.

Of all the stats that count other than the scoreboard, it has to be contested ball.

From Rounds 1-5, they won the contested ball in every game. Since then they have won it in just two of eight games.

The seven times they won the contested ball produced seven victories.

It's plainly obvious what has to be a priority.

So, can the Cats win it? If I had $100 to bet, I'd learn towards no.

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