The Cats remain perfect at 3-0 after accounting for Melbourne by 29 points in a seesawing affair at Etihad Stadium last week.

Cats Media identified three points of interest to follow through the game and, with the benefit of hindsight, here’s how they played out:

Is this the week?

The make-up of Geelong’s ruck structure has been an on-going theme in this column across the opening three rounds of 2017.

The lingering question as to whether the Cats can play three ruckmen in the same team was answered at selection when Rhys Stanley was replaced by Zac Smith, with Mark Blicavs in place as back up.

The Smith-Blicavs tandem was more than serviceable against the Demons and Max Gawn, winning the hit-outs 56-32 and Geelong winning the clearances by six (43-37). Smith also registered 17 disposals and a goal and Blicavs had the 22 disposals.

An asterisk does sit over the weekend’s performance, however, given Gawn was unsighted after half time with a hamstring injury which will see the competition’s premier ruckmen sidelined for three months. That left forward Jack Watts to ruck solo against the Cats’ duo, in a clear mismatch for size if not technique.

As for Rhys Stanley, it’s hard to know how he works his way back into the side immediately as there was no VFL game for him to play in last weekend.

The Cats went with a tandem of Zac Smith and Mark Blicavs in the ruck against Melbourne. (AFL Photos)

So you’ve lost Lewis and Hogan…

The loss of experienced midfielder Jordan Lewis and key forward Jesse Hogan through suspension was always going to be hard to cover for the Demons, but they certainly found a way.

Co-captain Nathan Jones stepped up in the midfield with 30 disposals, while exciting half-back Jayden Hunt was one of Melbourne’s best with 30 of his own. Clayton Oliver, Alex Neal-Bullen, Billy Stretch and Jack Vinery all had at least 25 disposals and overall, the Demons were strong on the inside without the former Hawk.

Covering Hogan was slightly more problematic, as only Jack Watts and Dean Kent kicked multiple goals. Nevertheless, the Demons still had 32 shots on goal – some eight more than the Cats – and if their kicking was straight, they would have claimed the four points without their spearhead in attack.

Clayton Oliver was one Demon who filled the void without Jordan Lewis. (AFL Photos)

Here's your chance

George Horlin-Smith was forced out of Geelong’s side ahead of round three due to a compound fracture of his thumb. The injury required surgery, though the 24-year-old is expected to be available for selection this week but will now have to battle it out against his replacement, Sam Menegola.

Menegola collected 24 disposals and nine tackles through the midfield as he looks to reclaim his place in the Cats’ best 22 on a regular basis.

Sam Menegola worked well with Dangerfield, Selwood and the Cats' other midfielders. (AFL Photos)