GEELONG defender Harry Taylor says it's more difficult than ever before to get an indication of where the Cats sit after 10 rounds.
With the Cats having the same win-loss ratio as their next opponent Port Adelaide, Taylor said stringing wins together was now vital as the business end of the season draws nearer.
"It is going to take a lot longer in terms of rounds to get a feel for where we are at compared to previous years," Taylor said.
"Winning now, we're nearly at the halfway mark of the year, becomes even more important."
Geelong has not missed finals since 2006 but has, by Taylor's admission, had an up-and-down season.
However, he said they were continuing to build and rated Saturday night's first half as their best defensive performance for the season.
"We were much better around the ball tonight and that makes our job as defenders much easier," Taylor said.
Geelong has now defeated Essendon, Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond and Gold Coast but has only strung together consecutive wins once this season.
The Cats also have an injury list containing key players such as Mitch Duncan, Mitch Clark, Rhys Stanley and Jimmy Bartel.
Port Adelaide has defeated Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hawthorn and North Melbourne and is returning to the form that made them a top-four team in 2014, ahead of the clash with the Cats at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.