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Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield remains focused on the task of winning the premiership after finally breaking through for his first AFL grand final appearance.

After agonisingly falling one match short on four separate occasions, Patrick Dangerfield admits he derives some satisfaction from breaking through for his first AFL grand final appearance.

It's been 13 seasons in the making for the 2016 Brownlow medallist and eight-time All-Australian, who has achieved almost everything there is in the professional game.

But he won't let it distract him from the main goal - beating Richmond at the Gabba on Saturday night to hoist Geelong's 10th premiership cup.

"It is great, absolutely, but it is not much without winning it," Dangerfield said.

"I have some great mates who have played in grannies and haven't been part of a successful side and it is a really tough day to deal with and one they still often think about.

"It is great recognition of the entire group and our club that we have got this far, but we are not done yet. The job is still ahead."

Dangerfield appears likely to continue playing predominantly in attack during the grand final, having done so to great effect over the last two weeks.

But it will depend on how the Cats' midfield - led by Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola - is faring without him.

"Our guys have played really well through there and I'm really confident they'll get the ball down there (the forward line) enough," Dangerfield said.

"Our job as forwards is to execute when we get the opportunities."

Dangerfield is eager to send off retiring teammate Gary Ablett with his third premiership, after the Geelong champion and former Gold Coast captain was a central figure in the Cats' 2007 and 2009 triumphs.

"He is one of the greatest players to have ever played the game," Dangerfield said.

"He is an incredible person, a great family man.

"He has done it all and we would love nothing more than to send him out the right way, the way a player of his calibre deserves."

Dangerfield expects Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins to take part in Wednesday night's main training session and be cleared to play in the grand final after battling a sore throat this week and sitting out a light training run.