Richmond coach Terry Wallace thinks Geelong are treating most of their AFL rivals with contempt, but only because they are just too good.

Wallace said Saturday night's clash against the Cats at Telstra Dome was an important test for his improving side.

The Cats have emphasised their premiership favouritism over the last fortnight, hammering the Western Bulldogs and then withstanding a spirited Hawthorn challenge.

"They've treated all bar Hawthorn with a fair whack of contempt and ... that's footy contempt, not the other contempt," Wallace said.

"They've handled good sides very, very comfortably and they've set a bar for themselves that's a fair way ahead of the rest of the group.

"That's a wonderful opportunity and challenge for our guys, we know we're in the hunt for the eight and every game is critically important."

The Tigers are half a game out of the top eight in 10th spot and Wallace said his team needs "at the very least" three more wins to make the finals.

Regardless of how they fare against the Cats, Wallace said the match would be a great experience.

"I've sat here week-in, week-out and said we are also in bigger-picture mode as well, trying to get a side that can formulate a finals-type scenario for year-in, year-out," he said.

"To be playing against the best, to have your young boys being able to step up and play against the best, I think it's great timing - coming off a good run of footy."

Wallace added he was unsure whether Cats star Gary Ablett would resume from an ankle injury against his side.

"I'm not really that big into the spy game, what we do most weeks is we plan for the worst-case scenario," he said.

"Obviously the worst-case scenario is him playing, because he's such a fantastic player.

"We'll get phone calls and everything else that happens later in the week."

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