"Our players aren't looking back and thinking we can't beat them. We do have a method that troubles them," Scott said.

"I am not a big fan of looking too far back but I don't think we were anywhere near as good a team as we are now last year and I think they were a better team last year than they are now."

The loss of Hawkins has weakened Geelong, who may have to push Patrick Dangerfield forward to cover the key forward's absence. But the Cats still have Tim Kelly (who returned to form on Friday night), Joel Selwood and Cam Guthrie in a midfield that is without dynamic runner Mitch Duncan, who is hoping to recover from a knee injury to play in the grand final if the Cats make it.

"They have been, especially in the second half of the year, a team that has overwhelmed some teams around the midfield and looked dangerous when they have got it forward," Scott said.

"I'm not sure their numbers around the contest reflect the dominance that some people think they have.

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"They are going to be two pretty good midfields going at each other ... group versus group - and we're happy to take them on in that area."

Scott said missing the match would hurt Hawkins and he was not about to pour salt into the wound, although he acknowledged the penalty was reasonable for the action.

"He has probably paid a very, very heavy but appropriate price," Scott said.

The Cats coaching staff met on Saturday to determine how to tackle Richmond without Hawkins but were not making their decision on who would come into the team public.

The Cats claim Gary Rohan is available and they would also be considering Lachie Henderson, James Parsons or Scott Selwood to come into the team.

"We haven't got a Tom Hawkins replacement so we will be different, but different is not necessarily worse," Scott said.

"Even the player that replaces him will be desperate to win so Tom gets the chance next week."