Geelong have entered a high-risk phase in their battle to defy AFL equalisation policies designed to bring them back to the field.

And it leaves the Cats in grave danger of being called a destination club while evolving into one that believes it can do no wrong as they entertain the idea of recruiting disaffected Demon Clayton Oliver while planning to also nab Bulldog Bailey Smith and Carlton’s Jack Martin.

Veteran Geelong coach Chris Scott has done an outstanding job at keeping the club regenerating and competing on the run. Credit: Getty Images

One relief for Cats fans is that the smart heads at Geelong understand this. Coach Chris Scott said at the club’s best and fairest that the Cats were reaching a point in fighting the equalisation system where the risks were inevitably higher than they once might have been.

He said the club was in a position where “we have got to be a little bit careful that we don’t assume we do things better than everyone else”.

Of course, they have done things better than most in the recent past, but they have become better at assuming they do, too.

The club has shifted its approach off-field in a way that is more hard-headed and corporate than it once was. The Cats have embarked on a marketing strategy to pursue membership targets and fill the now 40,000-capacity stadium, while trying to simultaneously maintain a community feel.

It’s a tough ask.

There is now a danger for Geelong of succumbing to hubris and falling into chaos as this growth focus makes winning necessary to keep everyone satisfied.

On-field success has........

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