A NUMBER of Geelong's senior players have put their hands up to play on Gary Ablett when the Cats take on Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

Ablett enjoyed a stellar career at Geelong, playing 192 games, winning two premierships and a Brownlow Medal.

But late last year he quit the club and signed a long-term deal with the AFL's 17th team.

Now, as Ablett prepares to line up against Geelong for the first time, Cats coach Chris Scott says his former teammates are "really excited" about getting the chance to go head-to-head with him.

"We've got a really competitive group and we've got a few players that would like the opportunity to play on him and beat him, but that's easier said than done," Scott said at Skilled Stadium on Tuesday.

"Everyone in the Geelong family knows that Gary Ablett has been a champion, and more importantly a champion of the Geelong Football Club.

"So we have a lot of respect for that and we expect our people to respect him as well, but once we cross the white line he's an opposition player that we've got to attack.

"Not only is he an opposition player, he's one of the best players going around.

"We've got to be really professional in the way we approach it and be ruthless in that approach."

Ablett gathered 41 possessions and kicked four goals in his last outing against Adelaide in round eight.

Despite this, Ablett said on Monday that he doesn't expect to be tagged this weekend.

"Good try, that one," Scott responded with a chuckle.

"We'll certainly pay him a lot of respect. We can't let him do what he likes, that's for sure.

"There will be a bit of external buzz about Gary playing his old team for the first time.

"The challenge for us, and for them for that matter, is to be as professional as possible and approach the game with the respect it deserves and not focus too much on one individual."

Nevertheless, Geelong's experienced players will help their coaches come up with a plan to limit Ablett's influence.

"They know him better that I do, there's no question of that," Scott said.

"Sometimes that's a bit of a problem though, because they know how good he can be and it can be a bit intimidating."

Saturday's night's clash between the Cats and Suns will be the first match AFL match played at Gold Coast's new home, the $144 million Metricon Stadium.

"It is an historic occasion and we're honoured to get the opportunity to play the first game there," Scott said.