GEELONG believes its alternative training base at Deakin University will improve its preparation for games at the MCG. 

The Cats will train at the venue for the first time on Thursday ahead of their clash with Collingwood on Saturday.

The football ground at Deakin University's Elite Sports Precinct is the same dimensions as the MCG.

Cats football manager Steve Hocking told AFL.com.au the opportunity to train at Deakin University's Waurn Ponds Campus should help Geelong improve its record at the iconic stadium.

Geelong has won 14 of 25 games at the MCG since it won the 2011 premiership in Chris Scott's first year as coach. It has won just one final in five attempts at the venue since that flag.

"We'll use it leading into MCG games, hence we're using it leading into the Collingwood game this weekend," Hocking said.

The Cats' use of the facility at Deakin University will become official on Thursday when the club first uses the venue that will become their training location throughout pre-season and ahead of MCG games.

Geelong's VFL squad will train there and its players will participate in cutting-edge research programs emanating from the REACH building that overlooks the sports precinct and conducts allied health programs.

Work on the Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct started just eight months ago and is a great result for the Cats as they had sought an alternative training base for several seasons, with a project at Armstrong Creek aborted 18 months ago.

It has also supported the redevelopment of Simonds Stadium, which has received significant funding in recent years, so it can become a multi-purpose venue in use for 12 months a year. 

As part of that redevelopment, Geelong is constructing a multi-million dollar indoor training centre.

Hocking said the opportunity to train at Waurn Ponds came about because of the great relationship between Geelong and Deakin University.

"It's an example of two organisations in Geelong coming together and creating this and create a wealth of [other education] opportunities for our young people right throughout the region," Hocking said.

Since 2008, the Cats have been in partnership with Deakin University. About half a dozen students each year work with the Cats' football department in sports science and technology roles.