Whether it's his team-mates or the 2009 AFL premiership photo on the changeroom wall, Geelong defender Josh Hunt lacks nothing for motivation.

Hunt will return to the team from a week out with a back injury for Saturday's Skilled Stadium clash against Gold Coast.

The 161-game veteran has played 15 matches this season, but four games out from the finals he is acutely aware not to take his senior berth for granted.

Apart from the team's strong depth of available talent, Hunt also says the desire among the team's leaders for another flag has never been stronger.

Hunt played in Geelong's 2007 historic premiership team, but a pre-season knee injury cruelled his 2009 campaign and he had to watch as the Cats won another premiership.

"It was a hard pill to swallow, but it has been a driving force for me," he said of the 2009 injury.

"Seeing the way our side has gone this year, I had no doubt we'd be a good sign again, contrary to what other people believed.

"It helps having the guys around the club who played in both, they're still so driven to win another flag - you look at Lingy (Cameron Ling) and Joel Selwood and Scarlo (Matthew Scarlett), those sorts of guys.

"They're driving everyone to give it another shot and who's to say we can't do it again.

"We just have to try to get the right players on the park, fully-fit and in form, and the rest will look after itself."

Hunt is also mindful of the need over the next month to leave the Cats coaches in no doubt about his form going into the finals.

He notes Allen Christensen has gone from being a fringe first-year player to practically a regular member of the senior side.

"We have a lot of people in there who can come in and play," he said.

"That's the beauty of it, it doesn't take a lot for you to be out of the side."

That pressure for senior berths should also ensure the Cats keep their foot on the accelerator against the Suns.

Geelong will start hot favourites a week after obliterating Melbourne by 31 goals.

Assistant coach Brenton Sanderson has spoken this week of the need to stay ruthless.

Hunt and James Podsiadly will return to the side for Brad Ottens and Corey Enright, who are injured.

While fans will be disappointed Suns captain and former Cats star Gary Ablett will not make his return to Skilled Stadium on Saturday because of injury, Hunt is rapt.

"From an opposition player's point of view ... it's always nice when Gaz doesn't play and we don't have to worry about him," Hunt said.

"From a spectacle point of view and the fans, I guess the people wanted to come out and either cheer for him or let him know how they feel."

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