There is no better feeling than flying back from interstate with four points in your kit bag.

Conversely, lose interstate and sometimes you wish the flight wasn’t landing back in your home state. 

Heading into Saturday’s clash with the Power questions abounded about the Cats ability to contain the Power’s much vaunted forwards let alone win the game.

But the performance that was dished up by the Cats, the AFL’s fourth youngest side on the weekend, was exemplary.

Despite losing Tom Hawkins to back spasms pre-game and Scott Selwood to a vicious head-high bump in the second quarter the Cats showed grit and determination well beyond their years.

Again the younger Cats were leading the way. For every bit of brilliance from Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield, there was courage and tenacity from Brandan Parfitt and Lachie Fogarty.

Esava Ratugolea is a genuine pack-splitter, something that isn’t often seen from key forwards in modern football. His desire for the contest and willingness to get down and dirty will keep Cats fans entertained for years to come.

Jack Henry is growing every game and Saturday night gave Cats fans a glimpse into his genuine athleticism and poise. As much as the Cats coaches would want him having Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson by his side teaching him the fundamentals, the tutelage he is receiving from slightly more experienced teammates Tom Stewart and Jed Bews is no less valuable. 

The Cats will need to quickly lick the wounds as two tough encounters face them in the coming fortnight. The two harbour city sides, the Swans and Giants, will trek to GMHBA Stadium with indifferent form.

The belief the Cats gained from Saturday night will hopefully be the impetus for another gutsy Geelong performance.