GEELONG defender Harry Taylor has a bottle of cognac waiting to be opened if he can be part of a third premiership at the Cats.

Set to play his 200th game on Sunday at the MCG against Richmond, the 30-year-old said he made the purchase after the 2011 premiership and resolved to drink it if he won another flag.

"That's still tucked away there ready to go. I'm getting thirsty and I would love to be able to taste that," Taylor said.

With the Cats fifth on the ladder the dual premiership player isn't getting his hopes too high, saying improvement is needed for them to win the 2016 flag.

"We're a little bit up and down. I think our good is very good and our average is pretty average, so if we can close that gap, play a little bit more consistent and get some good form going into the finals, who knows?" Taylor said.

"It is going to be one of the most open finals series we've had for a while."

Taylor has brought up the 200-game milestone in just nine seasons, having played at least 20 games every year since he was drafted as a 21-year-old at pick No.17 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft.

The West Australian was asleep when his name was called out, having been to a ball the night before as he completed his third year studying physiotherapy.

He woke to 84 missed calls and had an awkward first conversation with his new coach Mark Thompson.

"[He said] 'Why haven't you been picking your phone up' and I tried to sort of muddle my way through the story," Taylor said.

With the unlucky Matthew Egan's career cut short through injury, Taylor slotted straight into the team and played in a Grand Final in his first season.

Taylor made up for being part of that upset loss to Hawthorn when he played a crucial role on St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt in the 2009 Grand Final to help the Cats over the line.

Taylor said Riewoldt remained a huge influence on his career because he was the hardest-working player he had ever played on.

The duo represented Australia alongside each other against Ireland in the International Rules Series last year, with Taylor winning the Jim Stynes Medal for his performance for Australia at Croke Park.

Taylor has twice been All Australian and was runner-up in the Cats' 2013 best and fairest.

He said he learned from champion defenders such as Matt Scarlett, Corey Enright, Andrew Mackie, Tom Harley and Darren Milburn when he arrived at the club and he was trying to instil the same messages to the next generation.

"They taught me a certain style: to be good in the contest and good when you are one-on-one in the goalsquare when there is no pressure on the ball," Taylor said.

"You need to hold your end up. I got that message loud and clear when I was young and I am trying to pass that message on to some of the younger guys that I play with."

Taylor said his reputation for eccentricity was a little overblown.

He just knows there is more to life than football.

"[I do] like to keep a pretty balanced life [and have] interests other than footy," Taylor said.

"I don't just sit down and read war books all night long, but I do enjoy learning what happens in our world. Footy is a small part for me."

Taylor said he was having a more positive influence on and off the field this season and put that down to great perspective.

"[I'm] trying to be more stable, more balanced and trying to get off that rollercoaster," Taylor said.

"You can't do anything about a loss post-game. You can't do anything about a win so you might as well just move on quickly and try to concentrate on your next challenge."