Former Geelong skipper, Cameron Ling, says the Cats have proven they can stand up against the four top teams, however he believes a number of imperfections in their game could let them down come finals.

Ling told Sportal.com.au that the Cats lack of consistency and defense pressure can often creep into their game and catch them off guard.

It’s this side of the Cats that concerns Ling the most, and with only three games left before finals, it’s something the Cats need to address and quickly.

“There are times when you watch them and you feel the inconsistency in intensity and the important things could come back to haunt them in a final,” Ling said.

“But when you look at the way the Cats have performed against the top four teams this year, Fremantle, Hawthorn (twice) and Sydney, then you have a real belief that they can win the premiership this year.”

Despite Ling’s admiration for the Cats playing group and their gallant performances against the best in the league, Ling fears that one slip during finals could have devastating consequences.

“The competition is so tight at the moment that even if you are only a little bit off your absolute best, you are going to get beaten in a final.”
Ling’s main perturb with the Cats final campaign is their current ruck situation. Compared to the Cats top competitors, who have tall robust players who dominate centre play, their ruckmen are inexperienced and undersized.   

“Since he (Dawson Simpson) went down, Geelong seem to have a little bit of a hole in that position.”

“That lack of experience of Nathan Vardy, Mark Blicavs and Josh Walker and the question over Trent West's form is an issue Geelong have to address ahead of the finals, especially when you look at the ruck divisions of the other contenders.”

Ling feels West has the ability to perform under pressure and has a lot to offer the Cats in big contests, which he demonstrated during the 2011 premiership.

“I still think Trent West can be a major player in the finals series and that is based on how he performed in the finals series in 2011 when he helped the Cats to the flag,” Ling explained.

Another key area that the Cats need to improve on is their defensive game, and he’s not talking about the backline, but centre and front.

Ling would like to see the Cats return to the brand of footy they delivered in Round 14 against Fremantle. He strongly believes this type of footy wins finals.  

“It is each and every player’s responsibility to defend from the forward line through to the backline,” Ling said.

“If you allow any team to bring the ball down the ground easily and under no pressure, it won't matter if you have six Matthew Scarletts in his prime, the opposition will score.

“When you look at the game against Fremantle, when the forward and midfield pressure was intense, it meant the back six virtually had no work to do. That's the level Sydney are at almost every week and that's where the Cats need to be to win a Grand Final.”

The two players Ling sees as the silver lining to the Cats final squad are Tom Hawkins and Paul Chapman, as they always dominate when the battle gets hot.

If those two Cats are ready to play their best footy then Ling believes the Cats will have another chance to stand up as champions.

“Tom Hawkins is a huge key in the Cats finals tilt. You need your best strong forwards performing at their best, something Hawkins' body hasn't allowed him to do this year,” Ling said.

“Skipping the long flight (this weekend) and the rigours of a tough game of footy will allow him to rest up his mind and focus on the final six weeks of the season.

“But the real ace the Cats potentially have up their sleeve is Paul Chapman. He's missed a lot of footy but as long as his body can hold up, then that won't be a factor.

“Chappy plays footy the right way in finals. He's tough, composed and skilful and an incredible weapon to add into any team in September.”