GEELONG coach Chris Scott isn't alarmed by recent losses by his competition-leading side, saying it isn't alone in its rollercoaster form.
"Alert, but not alarmed" is how Scott described the Cats' form on Wednesday, which follows two losses in their past three games, including a 16-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs last round.
Set to host lowly St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night, Scott felt it was difficult for any team to maintain a consistently high standard, although his side still held a four-point buffer on second-placed West Coast.
"The season was always going to be one of ebbs and flows," he said.
"I think we are going to see big swings and unpredictable results because teams rarely maintain a similar level - they are up and down.
"We would have liked to play better last week but they kicked a goal right on the siren to win by 16 points, so it wasn't a horrible performance.
"If you look at a bigger sample we are confident our style of footy is sustainable and stands up.
"If you look into it a bit deeper we'd like to be playing better but I don't think we're going that badly."
Emerging midfielder Brandan Parfitt, who was rested against the Bulldogs, is likely to come back into the line-up to take on the Saints.
Key forward Esava Ratugolea will also be considered for inclusion after a month on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
Scott said it was too early to make a call on concussed defender Jake Kolodjashnij, although he had recovered well after suffering the knock last round.
He said midfielder Sam Menegola was an outside chance to play in the VFL this week while Nakia Cockatoo, who also had a knee injury, was back in full training although no date had been set for his return.
"He is a remarkable aerobic athlete and he is in really good shape," Scott said of Menegola.
"He trains in a manner that suggests that he could come in and do the job, but if we were looking at risk/reward, playing a couple of games in the VFL just makes perfect sense.
"We haven't got a whole lot to gain by bringing him back prematurely."
