Chris Scott has labelled his team's NAB Challenge campaign as "really positive".

Speaking to CatsTV after the narrow loss to Fremantle in Perth on Saturday afternoon, Scott was upbeat about the performance against the Dockers and the previous efforts against Essendon and Collingwood.

"We have a lot of new players on our list and it was important that we took some time to integrate them through the pre-season program and then implement that work against genuine opposition," he said.

"We didn't hold too many back through the pre-season."

Scott was rapt with the performances of small forward Lincoln McCarthy and ruckman Zac Smith, who were outstanding contributors in the Cats' three pre-season games.

"On the whole it's been a pretty even contribution and a good preparation," he said.

Scott believes the Cats will field a near-full-strength team in the round one blockbuster against Hawthorn at the MCG.

"We're really confident Joel Selwood will be okay for round one," he said. "Corey Enirght will come back. Dan Menzel should be right to play."

To watch full interview with Chris Scott click on the video player at the top of the page