There’ll be plenty of hype surrounding the return of former favourite son Steve Johnson to Geelong this week, but for the man himself, it's all business.
Johnson has already faced his old side this season when Greater Western Sydney beat the Cats by 13 points at Manuka Oval in Canberra in round two, and said on Wednesday that the game helped him get the emotions of the experience out of the way.
The 2007 Norm Smith medallist won three premierships and represented Geelong 253 times, and while he admits there'll be some unfamiliar feelings when he runs out onto Simonds Stadium on Saturday afternoon in an opposition jumper, his focus will be all football.
"The first appearance is out of the way, so now it's about going down there and facing a football side that clearly will be wanting to bounce back after their last couple of weeks," he said.
"The emotion of playing against my old team the first time was a little bit strange.
"Now I know it's just important that we go out and play a brand of football that can hopefully stand up against a team that is rarely beaten down in Geelong.
"I know first-hand because I've been involved a lot of those times. That’s the challenge for us, and we're really looking forward to it."
Johnson's last game at the Cats' home ground was a memorable one, with the veteran forward kicking 2.6 – with one of his behinds coming from a left foot torpedo from outside 50 – as Geelong cruised to a 39-point win over Adelaide in round 23 last year.
He was then carried off, along with the retiring James Kelly and Mathew Stokes, and given a rousing reception by the Cats' faithful.
With his future then very much up in the air, Johnson admitted he walked off not knowing if he'd ever play set foot on the ground, or any other venue, again.
"I just really wanted to enjoy the moment," he said.
"I obviously spent 14 years playing AFL footy for that club and I really enjoyed the opportunity of playing down in Geelong quite a bit.
"It will be a little be different this time, I'm in different colours, but certainly I can reflect on some positive times there, for sure.
"All I can really say is the time I spent in Geelong was the best time of my life.
"I made a lot of good relationships in that town, so hopefully they come along and there's a big crowd."
The GIANTS have received a welcome boost for the clash, with co-captain Phil Davis cleared to play after missing three games with a hamstring strain.
Coach Leon Cameron said the key defender was extremely close to playing against his former side Adelaide last week, and will get the tough task of shutting down Cats' power forward Tom Hawkins on Saturday.
Fellow defender Matt Buntine also remains a chance to return after missing one week with concussion.
The courageous 22-year-old has worn a helmet at training this week after missing six games at the end of last season with two separate concussions, and is likely to play in it when he returns to the field.
