While they recovered to win the flag in 2009, Geelong's players are still bugged by their shock loss to Hawthorn in the 2008 Grand Final.
"We've sort of said to ourselves that, if we can, we should never let Hawthorn beat us again," Chapman said, pointing to the Cats' four consecutive wins over the Hawks since the '08 decider.
"We still hurt from that. It's obviously in the back of our heads, and there's nothing we can do about it now, but all you can do is do the best that you can when you play them next.
"For me, that's something that motivates me against them. They always get up for us, we always get up for them.
"It's going to be a great game and hopefully we can get over the line and play some consistent, solid footy. That will have us starting the year really well before our bye."
Last year Geelong beat Hawthorn by nine points in round two and by two points in round 15.
The combined crowds at those two games was almost 140,000, so another big turnout is expected to converge on the MCG on Easter Tuesday.
"I'm really looking forward to it," added Cats midfielder David Wojcinski, who booted three goals against the Swans.
"We know it's going to be a big game. We are happy that the focus hasn't been on us [this season], but at the same time we know how to handle it."
Geelong has defied its doubters so far in 2011, winning its first four matches.
The victory over the Swans was particularly impressive, as the game was played in driving rain and the conditions were not expected to favour the Cats.
"It's a good start," Chapman said. "I think this was our hardest challenge for the year so far, and the boys came and actually wanted to prove something.
"Sydney are really strong around the ball, really strong contested team, and we wanted to beat them at that.
"The conditions didn't make the game a great spectacle, but both teams really threw their bodies in and our boys did it really well."
Adam McNicol covers Geelong news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_AdamMcNicol.
