WITH Geelong's VFL team having a bye last week, one of the side's youngest and most promising players made the trip to the MCG to watch the Cats in their biggest home and away match of the season.

Adam Donohue, the son of former star full-forward Larry and the club’s 60th pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, saw Geelong beat Hawthorn by 11 points in front of a massive crowd.

Sitting at the home of football with his brother and a good friend, the lightly-built defender knew that one day his time could come.

"If things all go to plan," Donohue told gfc.com.au.

Sure, life as a developing player can be tough but Donohue, not a stand-out junior, is relishing life at Skilled Stadium and going to work each day with the best team in the land.

If his development stays on track, the reality is he may take the big stage in a year or two.

"It’s scary in a way ... I know if I was running out there in front of 86,000 I’d be as nervous as hell," he said.

"It’s a pretty scary thought but an exciting one as well.

"The roar just before the game was amazing."

The spectacle of the blockbuster clash was also a learning experience for Donohue – an approach he has carried all season.

"It was obviously great watching guys like Jimmy Bartel and Sam Mitchell, but I really try to watch and see what decisions guys make under pressure," he said.

"It’s just wonderful to watch I reckon … but then in a game if you get into different scenarios you might sort of think back and say 'Now what would Jimmy Bartel or Corey Enright do here?'"

While Donohue’s education was from the sidelines last week, his on-field progress has gone to new levels in his first year of senior footy.

He has impressed at both ends of the ground in the VFL, but admits his best work has come in defence.

It's where he has played the bulk of his football though a decision to approach coach Leigh Tudor allowed Donohue to show his versatility.

"I went in and asked Lurka (Tudor) about putting me forward, or at least putting me further up the ground, and he put forward for a couple of weeks which was good," Donohue said.

"If I played in the back pocket all year, then come next year and we had a few injuries then they might only see me as a back pocket and not being able to play forward or midfield.

"So I want to be able to show them that I can play a few different roles."