GEELONG coach Chris Scott expects the Cats' fans to cheer rather than jeer Gary Ablett when he plays his first match at Simonds Stadium in a Gold Coast jumper on Saturday.

Ablett, who played 192 games for the Cats and was a member of the club's 2007 and '09 premiership teams, pulled out of the Suns' team when they previously visited Geelong in 2011.

However, he is all but certain to line up in this weekend's historic night match at the Cattery.

"Gary is a much-loved figure in Geelong," Scott said on Tuesday morning.

"Certainly in our footy club we've got a lot of respect for the player that he has been, not only as a Geelong person, but the level he has taken his game to since he left.

"We're hoping we can somehow limit him this week. It's a big ask.

"But we would expect that our supporters would have a level of respect for him that's appropriate given his standing in the game."

Excitement is building in Geelong as the club prepares to play its first match under lights and open the new Players Stand, which has replaced the old Doug Wade Stand at the southern end of the ground.

"It's an exciting time for the town," Scott said. "It's going to add another dimension to footy in Geelong.

"In some ways we're moving into a new era, so it's nice to be part of a little bit of history.

"It's great for the footy club, but I think it's even better for the people of Geelong.

"You see the light towers on the horizon from almost every angle of Geelong, and the people of Geelong love their footy.

"All the players are looking forward to it and falling over themselves to get selected in our 22 this week."

Geelong will round out its preparations for taking on Gold Coast by training under lights on Thursday evening.

The Cats will then go in as short-priced favourites against the Suns, but Scott is taking nothing for granted after watching Guy McKenna's team take it right up to Hawthorn on Sunday.

"They'll give us more than something to think about," Scott said.

"They've got quality players across every line – one out-and-out champion and a big group of players who are going to be approaching that status within the next few years, we expect.

"They were very good against Hawthorn and we expect them to bring at least that level again."

Adam McNicol covers Geelong news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_AdamMcNicol