Geelong star Mitch Duncan believes this year’s premiership would mean more to him on a personal level than the Cats’ 2011 flag did in just his second season in the AFL.

Duncan was a wide-eyed 20-year-old when the Cats beat Collingwood nine years ago, entering play during the second quarter to replace injured teammate James Podsiadly under the old substitute rule.

This time around, the 222-game midfielder will play a lead role in Geelong’s engine room against a star-studded Richmond on-ball division.

Duncan has a greater appreciation for the occasion after playing in three losing preliminary finals and suffering a knee injury during last year’s finals series.

“Yeah, I think it does (mean more). There’s probably a little bit more added responsibility and it’s just a different feeling,” Duncan said.

“You’ve helped grow the culture and helped lead the footy club as best you could and you go out there and try your hardest.

“It’s quite rewarding when you get there, but it’s only half the job done.”

Duncan managed 10 possessions in the 2011 grand final and his late third-quarter goal gave the Cats an eight-point buffer over the Magpies before they ran away with the game in the final term.

“I’m a lot more experienced now and understand the game a lot better,” Duncan said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play in a fair few finals (19) and understand what it takes to win finals, even though we haven’t won that many.

“But I’m feeling confident in my form at the minute and the way the team’s going, too.”

The global pandemic has meant Geelong and Richmond have spent more than 100 days in interstate hubs this season.

The combatants are experiencing a grand final week with far fewer distractions than usual leading into the decider.

“Being up in Queensland there’s obviously no parade,” Duncan said.

“If we were in Geelong, a one-team town, the town would’ve been buzzing, and I’m sure it is buzzing back home.”