Patrick Dangerfield expects to line up alongside Bailey Smith at the opening bounce of the 2025 AFL season, urging the boom recruit to express himself in a revamped Geelong engine room.
Smith's high-profile trade to the Cats was due in part to his frustration at a lack of opportunity in the Western Bulldogs' high-powered midfield.
But Dangerfield believes that is the position where the versatile 23-year-old will have his strongest impact for Geelong, who take on reigning premiers Brisbane in the season opener on March 6.
"I think he's that inside midfielder and has the ability to break the lines," Dangerfield told reporters on Monday.
"He averages a lot of inside-50s, and I think that will really benefit the group we've got in and around the ball, so that's where I'd see him playing.
"We just want him to be himself, to be honest.
"It's not so much conforming to how we want to play - we want him to play to his strengths and for that to benefit us as a team, so we'll sort of find out what that is over the next two months.
"You have an idea because you see him and you play against him, but it's not until you pull on the guernsey together and you sort of understand the running patterns and where he likes to get the ball and all those sorts of things."
After missing the entire 2024 season because of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, Smith joined his new teammates at Deakin University on Monday for their first official pre-season training session.
"Day one, I'm sure there were a few nerves there, but it was great to see him in the Cats colours finally," Dangerfield said.
"But he's been around the traps for a bit now, so while it's formally day one, the guys have been going for a few weeks now.
"He's obviously coming back from an ACL, so the challenge with him is sort of pulling him back because he wants to get into it all.
"Obviously it's a new environment but we'll make sure we're not cranking it up too high too early because it's a long season."
On top of Smith's addition, Geelong's midfield is also set to be bolstered by the return of two-time best-and-fairest winner Cam Guthrie.
The 32-year-old ball-winner has managed just 10 games since the Cats' 2022 premiership because of a succession of injuries, but is well-placed to have a greater impact next season.
"Cam Guthrie will really be like a new recruit for us," Dangerfield said.
"He was hampered with his toe into a bit of achilles stuff (last season).
"He'll be really important, he looks fit and looks like he's enjoying it a bit.
"It can get a grind in the season when you're trying just to get back and then you fall short.
"He looks like he's in great shape and he always prepares himself well but it's nice to see him smiling."
Dangerfield also expects Mitch Knevitt to be among the younger brigade breaking into the midfield, following players including this year's best-and-fairest winner Max Holmes, Jack Bowes and Tanner Bruhn.
"He's a really big, powerful player and I can see him playing some really good AFL footy," Dangerfield said of 21-year-old Knevitt, who has played 14 senior games in three seasons.
"He looks in great nick, so it's (about) building that consistency throughout the pre-season and backing yourself in that you're good enough to play at the level."
Dangerfield battled hamstring injuries last season but said his body was feeling good ahead of his 18th AFL campaign, having signed a fresh two-year contract in October.
The 34-year-old is expected to retain the Cats' captaincy, saying he enjoys the role, but the leadership group will not be formalised until the new year.
