Wet-weather specialist Jimmy Bartel looms as a jewel in Geelong's crown with wet conditions forecast for the premiership showdown with Collingwood.
The Cats held their main training hitout in the rain at Skilled Stadium on Wednesday - a session that could prove pivotal with scattered showers and hail likely at the MCG on Saturday.
Steve Johnson was again absent as he battles a knee injury, but speedster David Wojcinski, who missed training on Tuesday with Achilles and calf soreness, trained strongly.
The perennially under-rated Bartel has so far slipped under the radar this finals series. But the 27-year-old's composure and no-nonsense approach is exactly what is needed in the biggest match of the year. Especially if the heavens open.
"I think most games we play in Geelong are in pretty ordinary conditions so I guess we are used to it," Bartel said.
"We don't play a lot of games at the Dome (Etihad Stadium)."
"It's probably going to affect the game. It's probably not going to be the big open spectacle that everyone wants."
"I think both sides adapt pretty well when it does get wet and it comes back to basics more than anything else."
The weatherman's prediction has prompted many to back Bartel to be voted best on ground.
"I'm not sure about all that betting stuff," was his response.
"I suppose there's a lot of interest now in that side of footy, but I don't really care about a Norm Smith Medal."
Meanwhile the 2007 Brownlow Medallist moved to dispel rumours he suffered a rib injury in the preliminary final.
"It's a blatant lie by somebody. I think it's gathered legs because the more you deny it (the injury) the more people think you are lying. It's just bizarre that somebody can make something up and everybody else runs with it."