GEELONG veteran Harry Taylor is one of just seven Cats who played in both Friday night's thrilling win and the Cats' most recent premiership in 2011. 

As part of a new-look team that featured six finals debutants against Hawthorn, the key defender could have been forgiven not so long ago for thinking his days of playing deep into September were over.

But having returned to the finals after a one-year absence, and 12 months after their successful era was declared over, the Cats are just one win away from the Grand Final.

In the box seat to win the 2016 premiership and installed as equal flag favourites on Friday night, Taylor couldn't be happier.  

"It's exciting to be a part of," the 30-year-old said.

"It's tough to win finals and we haven't won as many finals as we would have liked over the last few years.

"So although it was interesting circumstances (on Friday night), it's great to win a final and be in a position to play in a preliminary final."

A veteran of 20 clashes against Hawthorn since the start of 2008, Taylor was again in awe again of how the clubs' modern rivalry keeps delivering classic matches.

On Friday night there were a massive seven lead changes in the second half as momentum swung, with Taylor always expecting the match to tighten up when one team got on a roll. 

"It's just the drama and romance of it all … It's amazing to be a part of as a player," he said.  

"It's so funny in the games, we'll get in front and you know they're going to come back and vice versa.

"I remember a few times playing on (Jarryd) Roughead and we'd be standing next to each other saying, 'I'm sure you're going to come back or I'm sure we're going to come back'.

"It's pretty unique and something I'm sure all of us that are involved in will be able to look back on after our careers and say that was a really good part of our footy careers."

Taylor expected teammate Lachie Henderson to be available for the club's preliminary final, which will be played against one of Greater Western Sydney, the Sydney Swans, Adelaide or North Melbourne.

The tall defender, who had minor surgery on his right knee last month, had been close to selection on Friday night and now has two weeks to prove his fitness.

If selected, he'll slot into a backline that was well led by Taylor and particularly Tom Lonergan, who stood tall in the frantic final quarter.

"He was excellent - he took three good intercept marks late, when we needed to stifle the momentum," Taylor said. 

"Again, I thought he played well all game, but that last quarter he stood tall and it was fantastic."