SYDNEY defender Heath Grundy says the Swans will "thrive" on taking their premiership push into enemy territory when they take on Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.
The Cats and Swans will meet in September for the second consecutive year after Sydney's 37-point preliminary final win at the MCG last season.
John Longmire's men have won the past three clashes against Geelong – all coming at either Simonds Stadium or the MCG – and five of the past six clashes, taking momentum into next week's semi-final.
"We love playing down there (at the MCG) … we thrive on playing finals down there and it's exciting, we're looking forward to the challenge," Grundy said on Sunday.
"We've been playing some really good footy and when you get a few wins you're obviously going to get some momentum.
"It's another challenge against Geelong and they're going to be a test for us."
Just as Longmire was on Saturday night, Grundy was certain superstar forward Lance Franklin would be fit to take on the Cats after suffering a corked thigh in Saturday's elimination final win against Essendon.
Franklin suffered the injury to his right leg in a marking contest in the opening quarter but played on and kicked four goals before sitting out the final quarter as the Swans finished off a 65-point thrashing of the Bombers.
"He plays every week no matter what he's got," Grundy said.
"We need him, he's pretty important to us, so he'll do everything this week to get right and he'll be out there Friday night."
A barnstorming Buddy kicks his second goal in a 90 seconds. #AFLSwansDons #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/oa8bcGqf7q
— AFL (@AFL) September 9, 2017
Grundy said the Swans had not expected to launch September with such a dominant win and they would be ready for a contested battle against the Cats.
"We've played some really good footy against them over the last couple of years, but we know they're going to bounce back," the important defender said.
"They're a strong contested side like we are and they're going to be giving it everything they've got.
"We're going to have to be at our best."