Geelong start their uncertain AFL season the same way their inconsistent 2018 campaign was killed off.

It’s Friday night lights at a packed MCG against a talented team brimming with confidence.

Six months after the Cats lost their elimination final to Melbourne, they face losing grand finalists Collingwood.

It is the match of the round and Geelong coach Chris Scott notes his team is there for a reason.

“If we were less relevant in the competition, then the occasion wouldn’t be as significant,” he said.

“We play one of the logical premiership favourites, who are up and about and confident, so we’ll certainly have a good test.”

Scott also sees the blockbuster as an ideal first-up assignment.

“Friday nights are still that little bit special – it’s a fantastic opportunity for all our players,” he said.

“We will go in with a big percentage of our team having played fewer than 50 games.

“I played all my career up in the northern states (at Brisbane) and there is a little bit of jealousy, with the big Melbourne clubs playing on the big stage on Friday night.

“There is an argument to be had, it just accelerates the development of those young guys that little bit more.”

But as always, there will be plenty of focus on three Cats veterans – their star trio of captain Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Ablett.

While they are spoken of as Geelong’s big three, Scott wants them judged separately.

At 34, Ablett will start Friday night in attack and he is now more of a pinch-hitter.

The new rules mean Dangerfield might also spend more time forward, while Scott sees no reason why Selwood cannot have a massive season in the midfield.

“Gary’s 34 and it would be naive for him to have the best year of his career,” Scott said.

“Joel’s 30 and he’s contracted to the end of 2022 – he’s got a lot of really good footy in front of him.

“It would be setting the bar too low not to ask him to have a career-best year.

“Paddy’s in his prime and the question probably more with Paddy than with any of them,, is whether he’s best serving the team as a 100 per cent onballer or will the new rules make it even more compelling for him to play forward?”

While there are big questions around the Cats, there are even bigger expectations around the Magpies.

The return of Dayne Beams means they have a stellar depth of talent through their midfield, while Darcy Moore and Jamie Elliott are major returns from injury.

It is only 12 months since coach Nathan Buckley started the season under massive pressure, but that feels like light years ago.