GEELONG defender Jared Rivers has no doubt the Cats can prepare the next generation while also remaining contenders in 2015.

Although aware that the star-studded backline he joined in 2013 contains many players who would be welcome at an over-28s nightclub, Rivers is adamant age will not prove a barrier to success this season.

"We still believe we're a real chance this year," Rivers told AFL.com.au. "We are getting older but all the boys have had full pre-seasons and are [achieving] personal bests [PB] in running and testing."

Corey Enright, 33, ran a PB in a time trial in February while vice-captain Harry Taylor, 28, has shed some kilos in the pre-season to improve his mobility and endurance.

Rivers, 30, began the pre-season slightly behind the others to manage ongoing knee issues, but is raring to go and expects to play in the second game of the NAB Challenge.

Andrew Mackie, 30, said on Tuesday he was itching to play while Tom Lonergan, also 30, extended his contract until the end of 2016 after the Western Bulldogs made a play for him.

The question is, how does the club utilise that talent without stifling its emerging talent?

"It's always hard. There is no doubt but I think ‘Scotty’ (Chris Scott) and the coaches do a really good job with that," Rivers said.

The Cats have suggested Mark Blicavs will spend more time in defence in 2015, while Billie Smedts and Jed Bews are likely to compete at stages for a spot as a small defender.

Rivers said another young defender has caught his eye in the pre-season - Jake Kolodjashnij.

Picked at No.41 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, Kolodjashnij played 16 VFL games and finished fourth in the club's VFL best and fairest.

"[He] is going to be a good player for the footy club," Rivers said. "He'll be a chance to come in at some stage."

Having completed his second season since crossing as a free agent from Melbourne, Rivers is proving a good player for the Cats.

He proved his worth in his second season at the club slotting into its backline, playing 22 matches, winning one-on-one contests and rarely being outmarked.

Not only did he have injury issues in his first season at the Cats, but he also put too much pressure on himself.

"I was a little bit worried. I was probably thinking a little too much about footy and people from the outside probably as well," Rivers said.

"Last year I was concentrating on what I can do and enjoying it more and enjoying the challenge and embracing it. That really helped me."

Given Rivers generally carries a laid-back demeanour, his comments reveal the extent of the adjustment any player is required to make when changing clubs.

"The coach backed me all the way and the players as well," River said.

Mitch Clark and Sam Blease, who both played alongside Rivers at Melbourne, will face the same challenges he overcame in the past two seasons.

Rivers says both players are aware of the expectations at Geelong and the support they will receive while trying to meet them.

"It's more about your actions than anything, just learning the style of game we play and those team-first things we expect every player to do."

The smile is never far from Rivers' face, but it has formed a little easier since he joined the Cats.

After 147 games with Melbourne that yielded just 54 wins (a winning percentage of 36) he has been on the winning team in 23 of his 32 games with Geelong (71 per cent) and played in two consecutive finals campaigns.

Unfortunately he is still yet to taste the ultimate success and he admits that last year's straight sets finals exit hurts.

"Especially when you're older and you know you are not going to get those chances each year," Rivers said. "There are no easy games anymore and you have got to be up every week. To miss out and go out in straight sets still haunts me."

Rivers does not appear the type to dwell on the past too much.

He has proven himself a good player in a good team and now all he yearns for is team success.

Age is not going to hold him or any of his mates back.

"[We have] another opportunity this year and we're all fully fit and we think we can have a real crack at those top teams," Rivers said.

And while they're at it the veterans will be schooling the next generation of Cats' defenders.