GEELONG utility Mark Blicavs is more aware of the opportunity in front of him now than he was when he played in a preliminary final in his first AFL season.

The 25-year-old was playing just his 22nd game when the Cats lost the 2013 preliminary final to Hawthorn by five points.

Only 11 players from that game played in this year's qualifying final against Hawthorn that was decided after the siren when Hawks' midfielder Isaac Smith kicked a behind to give Geelong a two-point win.

Blicavs says he was pretty raw in 2013, but with a best and fairest award in his CV and 89 games' experience behind him he is more aware now that chances to play in Grand Finals can't be taken for granted.

"I was probably a 22-year-old just playing footy because I enjoyed it, and didn't actually understand how big a scale it was," Blicavs said.

"This time around I feel the opportunity ahead of us."

He said the big-game experience of Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, Andrew Mackie, Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan was vital heading into such matches because of their calming influence.

With enormous pressure for spots and Lachie Henderson likely to return from injury, Blicavs said Geelong players would give support to any player forced to make way.

And in return, that player would be expected down in the rooms to support the rest of the group as they prepared for the Sydney Swans.

He said facing the Sydney Swans, who beat Geelong in round 16, was the Cats' biggest challenge for the season.

The Cats are aware of the depth of the Swans' midfield and hope to protect the football better than they did against Hawthorn in the qualifying final. 

Blicavs knows that with the stakes so high, it's going to be intense from the opening seconds.

"We know it is going to be really hot early," Blicavs said.