Geelong coach Chris Scott admits questions will be asked of his side's mid-season jaunt to the Gold Coast if they cannot overcome Brisbane on Sunday.
The Cats made a radical decision to spend this week on the tourist strip - at a reported cost of $50,000 - in an effort to recharge their batteries after two straight losses.
They flew to the Gold Coast direct from Perth after last weekend's match against West Coast, breaking with standard AFL practice.
But Scott said they will be open to and fully deserving of criticism if their week in the Queensland sun turns out to be a distraction and they go down to the lowly Lions at the Gabba.
"It was freezing cold and raining in Geelong when we left so the boys are happy on that front. Not too many Geelong boys get in the ocean at this time of year," Scott said.
"The change in scenery was a big part of it, mitigating the travel was a big part of it. A trip to Perth and then to Brisbane is quite unusual."
"We thought that was a potential issue in the draw and hopefully we've turned it into a positive."
"But only time will tell whether it's a positive thing. We think it has been so far but I'll tell you what, if we lose again people will be asking questions."
The return of Joel Selwood comes as a massive boost for Geelong ahead of this weekend's match and Scott said he was delighted to have him back in the side.
But he warned that Selwood's return would count for nought if the Cats cannot reverse the form that saw them end their 13-match winning streak with losses to Essendon and the Eagles in successive weeks.
"We're really pleased to get Joel back. We've missed him a lot. If he's not our best player he's in our top couple of players," Scott said.
"But we'd hate to think we're completely reliant on him. He is going to be an important part of our system but he's only one part. More importantly, we need to bounce back."
"More than the fact that we've been beaten in the last couple of weeks, the issue is we haven't played as well as we would have liked to - particularly in the first half. We've got to arrest that, and quickly."
"The opposition have been able to play the game in their forward half which in the modern game, makes it very difficult not only for you to score but to hold up the dam walls."
"Most of the time that's about our work around the midfield and winning the ball first and getting forward. There are other specifics, but not too much I want to tell you (the media) about."