Geelong veteran Tom Stewart has spoken on his side's excitement to face the reigning premiers Brisbane in this week's qualifying final.
Brisbane has beaten the Cats the previous three times, including a narrow win in last year's preliminary final. In Round 15, Brisbane beat down on the Cats in Geelong with a game plan to stop the interceptors, including Stewart.
"We are really excited at the prospect of playing Brisbane in front of 100,000 people at the 'G on Friday night,"
"We understand a lot has to go right to beat this team. We are ready for what they are going to dish up early in the game.
"If that was the reason they beat us, then I'm going to use that to put an extra fire in my belly to go after it even more so."
Stewart and the Cats have been in terrific form to end the season, but some questions remain about whether they are ready due to an easy run home.
"We thought through that period since we played Brisbane, we have put in some really good performances," Stewart said of his confidence going into the clash.
"I think the build-up I've had, in particular, the last 8-10 weeks, I'm really confident of what I've put together."
As always, the question has been whether Geelong deserve to play at GMHBA Stadium for their home games in finals, and Stewart shared his thoughts on whether he would rather play down at Kardinia Park.
"Personally, yeah, but you gotta win it [at the MCG], so why not play there in the whole lead up to the big dance," he said.
Geelong Veteran Mitch Duncan announced his retirement during the week, and Stewart was all praise while also mentioning what Duncan's future could look like.
"Magnificent person and rightfully celebrated within the Geelong community for what he's given to his club," Stewart said of his premiership teammate.
"Coaching is definitely in his future."
Stewart was also all praise for star recruit Bailey Smith, even with all his media attention.
"He's been fantastic, I can only applaud him, yeah, I respect what he has done this year," he said.
"He works as hard as anyone I've ever seen. It's a pretty good sign when you hear a couple of bangs on the plaster, yep, Baz is ready to play." Stewart shared insight into what Smith has brought to the club.
The Geelong Cats will go into another September campaign with it all starting on Friday night at the MCG against the Brisbane Lions, which is set to be another great final between the two sides.
