GEELONG is hopeful Patrick Dangerfield's late substitution was merely "precautionary" after the Brownlow medallist experienced calf tightness in Saturday's 35-point win over Port Adelaide.

The 32-year-old was subbed out during the final quarter having managed 18 disposals playing primarily forward after being floored by illness during the week which put his availability for the game in doubt.

Patrick Dangerfield experienced calf tightness during the Cats' win over Port Adelaide.

Cats coach Chris Scott said the club's medical staff made the call on Dangerfield.

"By that stage the game was iced," Scott said.

"He was a bit tight in his calf. The only feedback we've got at the moment was that it was tight and he shouldn’t go back on given the score."

On the severity, Scott added: "It's hard to say. My hope is it was just precautionary."

Dangerfield didn’t have any major impact on the game, failing to hit the scoreboard while he writhed in pain after twisting his left knee in a tackle on Zak Butters late in the first quarter but soldiered on.

Scott felt the three-time Carji Greeves Medal winner contributed well after being bedridden during the week.

"I actually thought he was good," Scott said. "There's always a risk when a guy is bedridden during the week, you don’t know exactly how they're going to go."

"He was clearly good enough to play. I thought he had an impact on the game and was important."

The win improves the Cats' record to 6-4, keeping them in touch with the top four, amid a period of change with style which has seen them go win-loss-win-loss-win-loss-win across their past seven games.

"When we're in the mode of where we're evolving with our list and the way we want to play we accept there's going to be some lumpiness there," Scott said.

"Our ambition is to get our game in such good shape that you just win the next game you play."