Geelong forward Cameron Mooney is a mixture of nerves and excitement as he prepares to test himself in his long-awaited AFL comeback, says team-mate Corey Enright.

Saturday's Skilled Stadium clash with Melbourne will be the three-time premiership player's first senior game in nine weeks.

The 31-year-old failed to score a goal in his five previous AFL games this season, as he struggled with a chronic knee injury.

It prompted the Cats hierarchy to rest Mooney, before putting him through an extended VFL stint to regain form and fitness, with the aim of a late-season tilt at reigniting his AFL career.

"He's been fantastic for us in the VFL, he's given us a chance and I guess himself a chance," Enright told AAP on Friday.

"Tomorrow will be a big day for Moons and we all know what he can do, especially in the big games come finals and just his presence around the club.

"I guess he's a little bit nervous and excited about what's ahead of him in the next few months."

With James Podsiadly (soreness), who will miss the Demons clash, enjoying a strong season and youngster Tom Hawkins having found some touch over the past fortnight, Enright said Mooney's return made for some healthy competition for spots in attack.

But he said, while Mooney's VFL form and fitness had been good, there remained some uncertainty over how he would withstand a return to AFL intensity.

"Once you get this far, you have a crack and if it works, it works, and if it doesn't, it doesn't," he said.

"I said he's nervous, but he's also excited about having a chance to impress."

The return of captain Cameron Ling, ruckman Brad Ottens and forward Steve Johnson strengthens a Cats team which returned to ominous form against Richmond last round.

Adding to the Demons' daunting task, Geelong hold a 27-match winning streak at their home ground, and have beaten Melbourne in their past six meetings, by an average of 56 points.

Enright said Geelong's record at Skilled, familiarity with the venue and crowd support gave them enormous confidence.

But he added that Melbourne had shown, when allowed to play their best this season, they could be dangerous.

"We've just got to try to get our hands on the ball and deny them the ball, because if you give them an opportunity to play the way they want to play, they're a really good, fast, attacking side."

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