Barely an hour after Geelong's brilliant grand final win over St Kilda, Cats coach Mark Thompson had already turned his thoughts to 2010 and the challenges that lay ahead.

After congratulating his team in the euphoric post-game meeting room, he clearly stated his desire for the group to win another premiership.

"When (the celebrating) is over, we're going to train harder than we ever have," Thompson told his players.

"We're going to do all the things we do, over and over again. We want to win more premierships. The standard we saw today is where we want to be. You have that ability.

"I'm telling you, if this is the last one we win we will be disappointed. If we play as a team we will have the chance to do it again. Be ready when you come back to pre-season."

Thompson, who has been involved continuously as an AFL player or coach since his first year at Essendon in 1981, understands better than most that the opportunity to win premierships doesn't come along that often.

"There are some years when you are not in a position to win the flag," Thompson said. "It may be that you are building towards being a really good team, as we were in the early part of the decade, and winning is a couple of years away.

"But we are clearly a good team and this group has the desire and hunger to have another crack in 2010. It doesn't mean we will win, but I know that everyone associated with the club will do everything they possibly can to give us the best chance to succeed. We have an opportunity to challenge again and we have to do whatever we can to make the most of that chance. "

Thompson has been impressed by the level of commitment that his squad displayed over the pre-season.

"I haven't seen any drop off, any sense of satisfaction from the group at all," Thompson said.

"Our players came back from their break in great shape. They are focused on 2010 and all of our attention is looking forward, not back.

"There will be challenges and distractions along the way, as there always are, but I know that we have a group of very focused people that will not allow any of those outside influences to negatively impact on us. Every season is tougher than the last one, and we welcome that challenge this year."