IN NORMAL circumstances, the occasion of Geelong captain Joel Selwood becoming the youngest Cat to reach the 200-game milestone in front of his adoring home fans would be the ultimate scene-stealer.

But with Adam Goodes making his return to action for the Sydney Swans on Saturday night and all eyes on how the Simonds Stadium crowd will react, these circumstances are anything but normal.

As it happens, Selwood has no problems embracing the bigger picture, even if he acknowledges some Cats fans might query why the two teams will run through a joint banner promoting unity - rather than the traditional affair primarily celebrating his milestone.

"It is what it is, I understand why we have to do it," Selwood said on Friday.

"I'm probably more upset for the Geelong cheer squad, they get (really chuffed) about putting a banner together and we're really thankful that those guys do that for us.

"But we're going to run through the banner together, we decided that as a football club and I'm really happy with that."

Selwood expects the Cats fans to be respectful towards Goodes, who sat out last weekend's victory over Adelaide, having been worn down by relentless booing from opposition supporters which the 2014 Australian of the Year believed was racially motivated.

"I'm a proud Geelong person too and what would make me proud is that Geelong people behave the right way,” Selwood said.

Racial issues aside, the match has major ramifications for the finals prospects of the fourth-placed Swans and the eighth-ranked Cats.

Selwood knows Geelong need to keep winning if they are to continue their amazing record of having participated in the finals every year since his debut in 2007 - a run of success which has been pivotal to him reaching the 200-game mark faster than any of his predecessors.

"I like to train hard, I like to rehab hard, I like to push the boys hard and just try to get the best out of myself," he said.

"It's not about how many games I end up playing or anything like that - it's about playing in the moment."

Both teams will be without one of their very best gamebreakers - with Lance Franklin out with a sore back and Steve Johnson sidelined for a week for striking former teammate Allen Christensen.

The Cats welcome back dual premiership midfielder Mathew Stokes and young gun Cory Gregson, while Goodes replaces Franklin.