Despite an early finish for Geelong’s VFL team, the young Cats aren’t looking to unwind just yet in case Chris Scott requires their services for important business.

Although there are only 22 needed in the final list, developing midfielder George Horlin-Smith says it’s important that every player in the squad is involved, when it comes to finals’ preparation out on the track.

As you never know who might be needed come game day, also teams win premierships not selected individuals.

“You don’t want players to feel like they are not part of it, but we have guys who aren’t playing at the moment who are just continuing to train really hard and doing their bit,” Horlin-Smith told News Limited.

“I think it’s really good for the team and for the club that we have so many guys putting their names up for finals.

“It’s obviously going to be up to the coaches to decide what is going to be the best make-up to beat Hawthorn, or to try to anyway.

“So to have a squad of 26, 30, even 34 players, all looking to contribute, whether that be on the ground, at training, in meetings, all that sort of stuff, it all helps in making sure we are prepared for the game.

With the VFL missing out on making the final eight, the Cats who are left without a weekend clash will have to make up for it on the track during office hours.

As Horlin-Smith states, it’s not just up to the best 22 to pick up the pace. At this end of the season, the responsibility’s on the shoulders of every single player to help the team through the intensity of finals.

“Without the VFL playing, we need to have competitive training sessions and we will continue to do that over the coming weeks,” Horlin-Smith explained.

“You have to think team first.

“I think when we play well as a team, individuals play well anyway, so we just make sure we play our role and the individual rewards come off the back of that.”

This week, the pressure on the track has already taken a significant rise, as the Cats creep closer and closer to Friday night’s Qualifying Final against the Hawks.

“We will look at the tape again this week and assess a few things, but we just need to go in with a positive mindset and if we can play our brand of footy, hopefully it stands us in good stead,” Horlin-Smith said.

“I mean, obviously we had a lot of the ball in the first half against them last time, so hopefully we can get our hands on the ball around the contest.

“It is going to be a contested game, so the ball in the contest is crucial.

“It is super exciting and no doubt the build-up this week will be really exciting too.”