Mitch Duncan is aiming to be a driving force in the Cats' midfield this season.

The 25-year-old, who recently signed a contact extension that ties him to the club until the end of 2020, was a consistent but rarely outstanding performer last year.

But he is confident that a big summer on the track with allow him to dramatically boost his output.

“Last year I probably didn’t impact games as much as I have in the past, or I would like to,” Duncan told Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark.

“I still managed to get my hands on the ball a lot and statistically it was probably one of my better seasons, but for pure impact on the game it probably let me down a little bit.

“Things like scoreboard impact, kicking goals — I need to kick a few more goals than I did last year, so there’s a bit to it.

“This year I will be trying to impact games more as well as being a good teammate.”

Much has been written about the Cats' need to reduce their reliance on superstar midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood.

Duncan, who played in Geelong's 2011 premiership, knows he is among the players who must step up and provide the support that Dangerfield and Selwood need.

“I probably want to be in the centre a bit more,” Duncan said.

“I feel like I’m using my strengths a bit more around the ball, making quick decisions either way, and that’s where offensively I think I can help the team be successful.

“A lot of stuff is put on Joel and Pat and I guess by the media always talking about it, it becomes a burden for the team a little bit.

“By them maybe pinch-hitting forward or rotating forward in different positions, it can allow other players to go through the midfield to harness that depth that we believe we have.

“And the responsibility that young players and mature players now have to take to make the team go forward.”