Geelong are on edge and feeling the pressure ahead of their date with destiny and coach Chris Scott wouldn't want it any other way.
The Cats would guarantee a top-four berth and a double finals chance with victory over West Coast at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
The struggling Eagles will field one of their least experienced teams of the year after Tom Barrass (back), Jeremy McGovern (thumb), Andrew Gaff (retired), Liam Ryan (personal reasons) and Alex Witherden (back) were all ruled out.
It means Geelong enter the match as the hottest of favourites and with all the pressure on them, especially given the game will double as a home farewell to retiring veteran Zach Tuohy.
The match also marks the 100-game milestone for Zach Guthrie, and Rhys Stanley's 150th for the Cats following his 58 appearances for St Kilda.
With the stakes so high and so many things to celebrate, a loss to West Coast is simply unfathomable.
"It's a pressure we should embrace," Scott told reporters on Friday.
"The carrot for us is obvious in terms of what the game means. I think it's a mistake to shy away from the things that are at stake.
"The little individual parts (retirements and milestones) that go with it add to it.
"The alternative is you could play it a little bit safer and not be in this position, but that's no way to live a life.
"We are on edge, and there is some nervous excitement. But that's when the good stuff happens."
West Coast have lost their past nine games at GMHBA Stadium by an average of 70 points.
Their inclusions this week - Rhett Bazzo, Clay Hall, Jack Hutchinson, Ryan Maric and Campbell Chesser - will hardly send a scare through Geelong's camp.
But Scott is wary of a West Coast outfit containing midfield stars such as Elliot Yeo, Harley Reid and Tim Kelly.
Scott has taken a particular liking to No.1 draft pick Reid.
"I've got a bit of a bias towards the types of players like Harley," Scott said.
"I can't wait to see what he does against other teams for the next few years.
"He's going to be good fun to watch, that's for sure."
Scott said there will be mixed emotions for people watching Tuohy's GMHBA Stadium farewell..
"It should be a joyous occasion, but there will be a tinge of sadness as well," he said.
"Zach really quickly has become a lot of people's favourite player.
"I guess in a sense it's like Tom Hawkins and Joel Selwood, you just hope they can play forever, and you know that's not true.
"It's a bit like celebrating someone's life - you should celebrate their life rather than mourn the end."
WEST COAST'S PAST NINE GAMES AT GMHBA STADIUM
Rd 23, 2022 - Lost to Geelong by 85 points
Rd 16, 2021 - Lost to Sydney by 92 points
Rd 6, 2021 - Lost to Geelong by 97 points
Rd 6, 2019 - Lost to Geelong by 58 points
Rd 7, 2016 - Lost to Geelong by 44 points
Rd 4, 2014 - Lost to Geelong by 75 points
Rd 22, 2010 - Lost to Geelong by 44 points
Rd 22, 2008 - Lost to Geelong by 99 points
Rd 7, 2007 - Lost to Geelong by 39 points
