GARY Ablett's return to finals football comes with the belief Geelong can win the flag.
Set to embark on his first September campaign since his last year at the Cats in 2010, the 34-year-old says the Cats have the firepower to make him a three-time premiership player.
Fresh from beating Gold Coast to the tune of 102 points, Ablett's attention quickly turned to his preparation for an elimination final in a fortnight's time.
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"We do believe that," Ablett said of his team's hopes for a flag.
"We know we've got the team to do it.
"You've obviously got to peak at the right time and play four quarters of football.
"We were a bit inconsistent with that throughout the year, but we've finished the season off strongly, that's what we wanted to do."
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In his previous seven years at the Gold Coast, September was reserved for functions and overseas holidays.
This time around, Ablett wants to make up for lost time.
"We'll spend plenty of time in at the club, there's no doubt about that," he said ahead of the pre-finals bye.
"The boys are excited about playing finals football, I don't think anyone really wants to go away.
"They'll be in here, they'll be watching tape, they'll be training, they'll be recovering, everything we need to do to make sure we're preparing for whoever we play in two weeks' time."
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While football on the big stage is nothing new to the dual Brownlow medallist, his coach Chris Scott will enter a finals series with Ablett's name on the whiteboard for the first time.
Even he couldn't contain his excitement after his side claimed back-to-back wins by more than 100 points for the first time since 2011.
"He's craving the big stage," Scott said.
"I don't think he would have been playing better or feeling better than he is right now throughout the whole season.
"We almost had the comical situation a few weeks ago (round 20 against Richmond) where he was playing the first Friday night game at the MCG since the 2010 prelim final.
"The great player has been off the big stage for too long. I'm looking forward to seeing him back on it."
The Cats will learn their elimination final opponent following Sunday's clash between Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney.
In the meantime, Ablett will set aside next weekend to watch brother, and premiership teammate, Nathan play for Modewarre as he attempts to book a berth in the Bellarine Football League Grand Final.
ABLETT'S FINALS RECORD
17 games (11 wins, six losses)
17 goals, 444 disposals @ 26.1 per game
Two premierships (2007, 2009)
