Such is Geelong's confidence, coach Mark Thompson says the club is already focused on developing the next batch of potential premiership stars.

The Cats have shown no signs of a premiership hangover this year, continuing to work as a cohesive unit and have clinically beaten four sides this year.

And in an ominous warning to the rest of the AFL competition, Thompson said there were another half-dozen players outside the current line-up ready to play senior football.

Thompson said the emphasis is now on working with the squad's lesser lights in a bid to create a Cats dynasty.

"We've already got 22 players experienced enough and we don't put a lot of time into them but we've got 20 out the back (behind them) that are going to have to play one day and we've got to find whether they're good enough," he said.

"And there's also the level of education and knowledge you give your players when you play a team every week.

"Our output, from the assistant coaches and the whole football club is exceptional and we strive to be better and better and better at our preparation so, as far as coaching goes, there's still lot of work to do."

The all-conquering Cats face a Barry Hall-less Sydney at home on Saturday.

Hall will miss the next seven matches for his king-hit on Eagle Brent Staker last Saturday night.

Thompson said the absence of the Swans key forward would not have a great bearing on the result on Saturday.

"It might matter a little bit but I don't think it will be the difference between (Sydney) winning and losing," Thompson said.

"The game is generally won in the midfield and moving the ball quickly (into the forward line) and they have been moving it a lot quicker.

"They'll have someone on the end of it and whether he's good enough to win the ball is anybody's guess."

Thompson said the Cats had planned for Hall's suspension, which was a factor in the omission of youngster Harry Taylor.

The Cats coach said the inclusion of Andrew Mackie meant his side matched-up better against the Swans, who welcome back clever forward Nick Davis.

"They empty out their forward line, their small forwards - (Ryan) O'Keefe and (Amon) Buchanan and all these guys are really experienced, smart running players, you just need smart players on them," Thompson said.

Thompson said the brand of football Sydney employs, which has seen them reach 10 of the past 12 finals series, makes them a serious adversary for this year's flag.

It's a game plan that has held the Cats to less than 90 points in their past eight clashes.

"They've got the best defence in the competition they really strangle you and make it hard to score and that's the sort of game it will be, Thompson said.

"We know exactly what type of game it will be."

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