It’s not quite the 11-0 start Chris Scott masterminded in his first season as AFL coach but he can be more than satisfied with Geelong’s 7-4 record going into next week’s bye.

The Cats were below their best on Friday but were able to snatch the lead in the third term and eventually triumph 14.13 (97) to Carlton’s 11.19 (85) in front of 47,632 fans at Etihad Stadium.

Triple-premiership player Joel Selwood led by example with 10 possessions and a captain’s goal in the third term. Selwood booted another major in the last quarter as Geelong steadied with 4.3 to Carlton’s 2.9 to claim a two-goal victory.

“I’d much rather be fighting and just winning games without playing your best footy at this time of the year, than be killing them and playing great footy and wondering if you can maintain it when it really counts,” Scott said.

“It might not be clicking perfectly but we certainly aren’t believing the negative press out there about us.

“I didn’t know what to think at this time last year. Having said that, we were 11 and zip so I was pretty confident that they were a good bunch of players.

“We’d like to be playing better but we think our standard at the moment is very competitive against the best teams. We’re still in contention.”

Steven Motlop’s pace was too much for the Blues as the Northern Territory product booted four goals in just his 15th senior game, although Scott has already warned the forward/midfielder to be prepared for stints in defence.

“Four goals is a great return but he’s one of a number of players we’re trying to develop into well-rounded players,” Scott said.

Mitch Duncan was another key contributor for the defending premiers with two goals and a fine tagging performance on Chris Judd, who was well-held for the first three quarters.

“Our captain really lifted in that third quarter,” Scott said of Selwood.

“As much as anyone, we thought Mitch Duncan and Steve Motlop in the second quarter were the ones who really generated something for us.

“I rate Judd in the top five players in the competition and Mitch Duncan is a third- or fourth-year player who’s played about 30 games, so it was a big job.”

Geelong’s Josh Hunt appeared to stomp on Carlton forward Eddie Betts’ hand in an incident which could come under scrutiny from the AFL’s match review panel.

Scott said he hoped to regain James Podsiadly (sore hip) for the round-13 clash with the Swans at the SCG on June 22.