For noted big-game performer Jimmy Bartel, there is no secret to finals success.
The most-capped finals player in Geelong's proud history will add to that record in Friday night's cut-throat AFL semi-final against North Melbourne.
And his advice to teammates - if it is asked for - will be as straightforward as his playing style.
"Probably the same thing I got told in my first finals series by the coaches which was to actually enjoy the experience," said the 30-year-old Bartel, whose 25 previous playoff matches include premiership triumphs in 2007, 2009 and 2011.
""You're walking around being really serious, but this is why you play footy.
"You should embrace the buildup.
"It's pretty cool to go out on the MCG in front of 70,000 people and play a final.
"So enjoy it, make the most of your opportunity."
Last weekend's second-half fadeout against Hawthorn means the Cats will have to do it the hard way if they are to secure a fourth flag in eight years.
Standing in their way is a North Melbourne side whose barnstorming second half against Essendon last weekend was the polar opposite of the Cats' capitulation against the Hawks.
Making Geelong's task harder will be the enforced absence of No.1 ruckman Hamish McIntosh, meaning part-timers Mark Blicavs and Josh Walker will have to share the load against towering Kangaroo Todd Goldstein.
But Bartel has a mountain of faith in former steeplechaser Blicavs, noting he has taken every previous challenge in his giant stride in the last two years.
While North Melbourne bring the better recent form into the MCG clash, Geelong can point to two wins over the Kangaroos earlier in the year - by 20 points in round 10 and a convincing 32 in round 19.
So who is under the most pressure?
"Everyone is keen to put the pressure on somebody but it's on everybody in a finals game," Bartel said on Thursday.
"That's what makes finals exciting.
"The Kangaroos will probably be feeling pressure because they want to play in a grand final and keep going and so do we.
"I think it's going to be pretty equal.
"There's going to be one side extremely disappointed and another very excited about their chances in Sydney the following week."
GEELONG'S SEPTEMBER SENSATIONS
Most finals by Geelong players
25 - Jimmy Bartel
23 - Steve Johnson
21 - James Kelly, Corey Enright, Paul Chapman (plus one with Essendon)
20 - Joel Selwood, Andrew Mackie, Josh Hunt
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