It might be a lesser goal than the premierships to which Geelong were aspiring not long ago, but that the Cats are back on target to get there at all is a feat in itself given how grim things were looking. After being dismantled by North Melbourne in round 15, Geelong were in 11th spot on the ladder with a 6-7 record, still a game-and-a-half outside the top eight even with the benefit of two points for a game cancelled because of the death of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh. The clawing back has been impressive, four straight wins over the Western Bulldogs, GWS, Brisbane and Sydney putting Scott's side back in contention. And the way the Cats have won them mirrors where Geelong stands in the AFL pecking order. The spectacular brand of attacking football the Cats played from 2007-11 is long gone. Instead, this mini revival has come off an improved defensive outlook, one based not so much around the back six, but more strength around the ball. In defence, Andrew Mackie, after an injury-interrupted start, is back to his rebounding best, while newcomer Jake Kolodjashnij​ has been good enough to keep Jared Rivers out of the 22.

But, most importantly, the support skipper and No.1 midfielder Joel Selwood had been crying out for most of this season has finally arrived. Contested ball has always been a great barometer for Geelong. It certainly was last Saturday night against Sydney, when the Cats racked up a whopping 27 more contested possessions than their opponent. Indeed, since 2012, there has been 21 games in which Geelong have recorded at least 10 more contested possessions than their opponent. The Cats have won every one of them. Who's chipped in more? Not surprisingly, given those numbers, mainly Geelong's more experienced, bigger-bodied types. Josh Caddy is one of four Cats who have over the past four games averaged at least six possessions more per game than previously, James Kelly, Selwood and speedster Steven Motlop​ the others.

And the return of Jimmy Bartel from injury has also made a difference, the Brownlow medallist picking up 41 disposals in his first game back, the loss to North Melbourne, but subsequently holding that form and over the past two wins against Brisbane and Sydney in particular, lending valuable support off half-back as well as midfield. That strength hasn't morphed into extra scores, Geelong is still averaging almost exactly the same scores they were at their lowest point a month or so ago, but it has made a huge difference to what is being scored against them. Over the past four rounds, the Cats are ranked No.1 for fewest points conceded, their average 56.5 points against better even than Saturday night's opponent Hawthorn, who are ranked No.2 over the same time frame. They've conceded the fewest points from clearance chains, and the third least from turnovers, and been scored against once the ball is in their defensive 50 less than any other team. It's a particularly stingy profile, one which has made Geelong hardly the entertainers they used to be, but one of the most defensively efficient of them all. The adage defence wins premierships might not prove true for Geelong this year, but few would argue that in the depths of winter it has at the very least got them back in the ball game, and in line for a historical feat of proportions their peers could only dream.

Resurgent Cats (Rounds 16-19) * Conceded 56.5 points per game, ranked No.1 * Conceded average 12 points from clearance chains, ranked No.1 * Opponents scored from 38.2% of inside 50s, ranked No.1

* Only 13.7% of turnovers punished by a score, ranked No.1 * Conceded average 33 points per game from turnovers, ranked No.3 * Conceded average 10.5 marks inside defensive 50, ranked No.5