The small matter of Paul Chapman's six goals notwithstanding, Geelong coach Mark Thompson has credited his team's patched-up defence for the club's thrilling two-point win over Adelaide at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.
The Cats went into the contest without injured key defenders Harry Taylor and Matthew Scarlett, lost Tom Lonergan before the match because of a groin strain, and were forced to make do for a spell late in the contest when the heat was really on without skipper Tom Harley who appeared to struggle for fitness.
"I thought they did remarkably well, especially early - we were a little bit small compared to our opponents," said Thompson of his back six.
"(Darren) Milburn playing on a 200cm guy (Kurt Tippett) was outstanding, (Andrew) Mackie until he got a knock to his back was sensational, and Joel Corey - we wanted him down back but we needed him in the midfield - so he's made a sacrifice today."
"Generally, we've coped well but obviously we'd prefer to have Taylor, Scarlett and Lonergan back."
Thompson described the past fortnight, which has provided the club with victories over Hawthorn and Adelaide by a combined total of three points, as the perfect dress-rehearsal for September.
He described both wins as a tribute to process and said the fact that Saturday's was achieved the hard way made it all the more satisfying.
"Our skills at times were terrible and so were theirs," said Thompson.
"We lost our courage, we were really stagnant with the ball and didn't play our best footy but when it really mattered we stood up."
Asked about Chapman's contribution, Thompson revealed he ordered the 27-year-old to stay forward in the second half when he reported sore at half-time.
Chapman reluctantly agreed but responded with two goals in a minute in the third quarter and scored the Cats' two matchwinners in the last, both from broken play deep in the pocket at the city end.
"I wanted to stop him from running a bit too much and I said 'don't worry - you might be able to win the game for us from full-forward and kick six'," Thompson joked.
"He probably should have kicked seven - (Cam) Mooney pinched one out of his hands."
Thompson said he was not expecting miracles from big man Brad Ottens who pulled up well from his 50-minute outing primarily up forward in the VFL, the 29-year-old's first competitive action since injuring his right knee in Round 2.
"He's run four kilometres in the game and next week he'll probably run up to six kilometres in the VFL - we've taken that stance to get him fit and in some form in the VFL," said Thompson.
"Given the circumstances of him still not moving freely we just think that's the best way to go."
"He might do some (rucking) next week and it may be that he doesn't do any for the rest of the year - it's put of my hands and I'll just be governed by what the fitness people say."