Milestone man Mitch Duncan is driven by the prospect of helping his Geelong teammates experience the premiership glory he enjoyed as a wide-eyed 20-year-old back in 2011.
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Not that any of them will be able to replicate exactly what Duncan did eight years ago in the 38-point win over Collingwood.
The classy midfielder will forever be the answer to a Geelong trivia question as the only Cats' player to start a grand final in the dreaded green sub's vest.
The short-lived and unlamented substitute rule was ditched after the 2015 season.
He did at least get to enter the fray earlier than expected when James Podsiadly damaged his shoulder shortly before halftime.
"Obviously it was a bad situation for Pods but I was probably pretty rapt, getting on before halftime, being able to get a full half in," Duncan told reporters on Friday on the eve of his 200th game against North Melbourne.
"I think it was only the second time I'd actually worn the sub's vest.
"It was a shocking rule - I've got to say that.
"But being able to be there on the day was obviously very special."
Duncan said that because he was so young at the time, he took it somewhat for granted as the Cats went on to claim their third flag in the space of five years.
"Looking back and being young, just wanting to play footy," he said.
"I can't really remember too much of the day to be honest.
"It drives me to get there again for the likes of a Jordan Clark, a Gryan Miers, a Zach Tuohy, a Patrick Dangerfield, a Tom Stewart.
"To get these blokes to experience the whole week really."
The Cats have been in something of a slump since the bye, dropping four of their past seven games.
They remain in in top spot, but on percentage only ahead of West Coast and the Brisbane Lions.
Geelong have been strengthened for Saturday night's visit of the Kangaroos to what will almost certainly be a bitterly cold and wet GMHBA Stadium by the return of Harry Taylor, Brandan Parfitt and Luke Dahlhaus.
But exciting first-year player Clark will miss at least the next two weeks after damaging ligaments in his left elbow during a training mishap on Wednesday.
The Cats have yet to decide whether to book Clark in for what would be season-ending surgery or to see if the injury will improve enough for him to be part of their finals campaign.
North Melbourne, in 13th spot and effectively out of finals contention, have recalled Jed Anderson and Shaun Atley.
Australian Associated Press
