Geelong coach Mark Thompson has warned rival AFL clubs the Cats are returning to their best, led by fiery forward Cam Mooney who has "got his head together".

Mooney, who has been seeking psychological help to improve his goalkicking, bagged three goals and took nine marks in a strong display as the Cats held out the brave Sydney Swans for a 13.14 (92) to 13.9 (87) win at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

"We need key forwards. It has been a long year for Cam but in the last couple of weeks he has got his head together," Thompson said.

"He's taking shots, kicking goals and really presenting for us. It's a good time of year for him to come good."

Bouncing back from their surprise loss to Carlton last week, the second-placed Cats were also buoyed by the sensational performance of Gary Ablett.

Stung by criticism from Essendon great Tim Watson this week that Ablett was becoming "obsessed" with winning the Brownlow Medal, the midfielder gathered 44 possessions.

It was a team-oriented performance that impressed not only his coach but also brought him closer to that elusive Medal he almost won last year.

"I think he was out to prove a point, and it's fabulous, from our point of view," Thompson said of Ablett.

"I didn't talk to Watson and fire him up to say anything individually about Gary Ablett, but there was a bit of a message for the team. We don't want to just let all our good efforts go to waste."

Thompson had strongly criticised his team, urging the 2007 premiers and 2008 runners-up to do everything in their power to chase another flag.

"I remember I was sitting next to Harls (captain Tom Harley) and I turned to him and said I think that might have been a bit of a shot at us," Mooney said of last week's 150th anniversary team dinner in which Thompson made his speech.

"We've had a pretty up-and-down month so it feels good to get that. Sometimes you need a kick in the arse."

Mooney also backed Ablett, saying he was disappointed the midfielder had "copped a bit of a whack" from Watson on Melbourne radio.

"It was a bit of a shit call. But you know, maybe he (Watson) did it for a reason," Mooney said.

The 195cm Mooney has kicked only 35 goals this year and infamously struggled in front of goal in last year's grand final.

As recently as a few weeks ago, he didn't want to take shots for goal in certain situations.

"I had a really bad patch mid-year. My goalkicking was shocking then my confidence levels dropped heaps," he said.

"I didn't really want the ball. I have worked it all out and in the last month or so I've felt really good and I'm kicking goals now so it's pretty good.

"I've spoken to a few people to get a few issues out of my head, with goalkicking.

"I sought someone from outside the club to have a chat with to get rid of some past demons from last year.

"It's more about how I'm feeling in the run-up and I feel great. "Psychological advice yes. It really was doing my head in and I felt like I was really letting the team down a lot with easy shots on goal that I was missing."

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