Whatever Chris Scott is saying at three-quarter time: tape it and play it every week

Geelong's turbo-charged starts in last quarters are keeping the Cats ahead of the pack in 2017.

The Cats have scored 126 points more than their opposition in the opening 10 minutes of each final quarter this season, habitually upping the ante at a time when other teams hurt most.

They have kicked the first goal of the final quarter in the past six matches, and in 10 of their 13 games this season.

On Sunday, the Cats screened The Great Escape once again with the 'King of Cool', Patrick Dangerfield, playing Steve McQueen's role in the first 10 minutes of the last quarter to turn the tide.

In that time, the Cats scored 20 points while keeping the Dockers scoreless to hit the lead.

It was a meritorious win given the odds were stacked against them with Joel Selwood, Tom Stewart and Darcy Lang sidelined due to injury.

Cats fans applaud Joel Selwood as he hobbles from Simonds Stadium on Sunday. Picture: AFL Photos

Teams with one fit player on the bench at three-quarter time have only won a third of games since 2004.

The interchange cupboard was so bare that 10 Geelong players did not come off the ground in the last quarter. Joining Dangerfield in going the distance were Cam Guthrie, Dan Menzel, James Parsons, Jed Bews, Harry Taylor, Zach Tuohy, Andrew Mackie, Tom Hawkins and Tom Lonergan.

That is the most players to play 100 percent of a final quarter in any team this season, and the equal fourth highest number in recent seasons.

No wonder Dangerfield was still beaming on Monday after reeling in a lead nearly as big as the sailfish he's fond of catching.

At three-quarter time, Chris Scott had told Dangerfield to take the centre bounce then go forward.

The 27-year-old didn't need to be told something was required from everyone in the blue and white hoops.

He kept reminding his teammates how good a story it would be if the Cats won, and then went to work, knowing implicitly that an early blitz would put doubts in the minds of the opposition.

"The important thing was putting on a few early goals in that last quarter," Dangerfield said.

Easier said than done… even for Geelong.

Patrick Dangerfield was one of 10 Cats to play every second of Sunday's final quarter. Picture: AFL Photos

"It was [a case of] 'grit your teeth' but you can't play on emotion for the whole quarter, especially in a game like that," Dangerfield said.

With the home crowd spurring them on, the Cats had to dig deep.

"It was tough. That is why I praised the resilience of our group to stand up in those moments," Dangerfield said.

However, every great escape carries a warning you'd be a mug to ignore.

Geelong has trailed at three-quarter time in nine of 13 games this season.

The Cats have won five but also lost four, sometimes looking like beaten favourites stuck on the fence looking for a gap.

And their win on Sunday relied on Fremantle's Michael Walters unluckily missing a shot at goal that he kicks nine times out of 10.

The Cats have been excellent but just 18 per cent of teams win after trailing at the last change, so they're flirting with danger, having spent a lower percentage of time in front than any other top-eight team.

They would do well to remember an old horse racing adage that it's much better to be on the pace then angling for runs.

One bonus stat: the Scott twins in tight finishes

Chris and Brad Scott have mirror images when it comes to tight finishes in home and away games decided by one or two points:

Chris: 9W, 1L
Brad: 1L, 9W

Throw in finals, and Chris's record improves. He's won the only 1-2 point final either Scott has coached. That was Geelong's two point win in last year’s qualifying final against Hawthorn.