I CAN'T remember there ever being as big a build-up to a home-and-away game as there has been for tonight.

As a lifelong Cats fan I can remember some pretty big games back in the 1980s and 90s, especially during Geelong’s Malcolm Blight era.

Those sides used to kick 20 or 25 goals a lot of weeks, and I can remember Gary Ablett Snr dominating in several of those big wins.

I’ll always remember Gazza and Paul Salmon going head-to-head in their famous shootout at the MCG back in 1993.

Before that of course (I’m probably a bit young to remember it!) the Cats played in one of the best grand finals of the modern era in 1989 – against the Hawks.

I reckon I’ve watched a replay of that game at least half a dozen times.

While tonight’s match isn’t a grand final or even a final, it’s about as close as you can get.

Maybe the build-up to our game with Collingwood in round 15 last year was nearly as big, but it wasn’t talked about as much as what this game has been.

Anytime you get to play in front of a full house at the ’G is pretty special.

Tonight when we take on Hawthorn – the same clubs that met in that famous grand final 19 years ago – there could be as many as 90,000 people watching.

I’ve been fortunate enough, more so over the past year obviously, to play in some pretty big games during my time at the Cats.

But despite how many you’ve played in, it doesn’t dull the thrill of playing in front of crowds of 50,000 or more.

Thinking back during my time at the club, there’s no doubt our crowds have got bigger which is probably a result of us becoming more successful.

In my earlier days we used to – and still do – have some pretty big games against St Kilda.

I guess a lot of that was sparked a few years back because of the relative ages of our lists and we were both seen as being young, promising teams.

We also played in a night grand final which, unfortunately, the Saints won.

Paul Chapman probably fuelled the rivalry afterwards when he came out and said he thought we were the better side. Good old Chappy!

My first finals series is another pretty vivid memory.

Although the first final itself wasn’t a particularly pleasant experience, nothing goes past playing in your first final.

In 2004 we finished in the top four and had to travel over to AAMI Stadium to play Port Adelaide.

We got beaten pretty convincingly but the next week we followed that up by playing in front of a huge crowd at the MCG against Essendon and had a great win.

That was an awesome experience and something I’ll always remember.

Throughout the journey we’ve gone on to play in some massive games, capped off by last year's premiership.

Tonight we go back to the home of footy.

It doesn’t matter how many times we get to run out onto the hallowed turf, we’re just like the average footy fan when it comes to playing at the MCG.

Sure, we might have got to do it a few more times than most will, but that doesn’t mean we’re robots.

We’re all excited and we all get goosebumps when we get to go there.

Tonight, the atmosphere will be great, both teams will be going hell for leather and both sides have been playing some pretty decent footy throughout the year.

When the ball is bounced tonight, the intensity will go up a fair bit in all areas.

I hope we can meet the challenge.

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