This time last year, Lee Spurr was preparing for a finals series.

He’s doing something very similar this year, only at an entirely new level.

In 2011, the Queensland-born 25-year-old was playing for SANFL side Central Districts.

He’s an AFL player now and, tomorrow night, he will run out onto the MCG for an Elimination Final against a team that has won three of the past five AFL Premierships.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet, I don’t think about it too much,” Spurr said.

“I’m focusing on trying to prepare well and prepare the same, but it’s pretty exciting.”

Before being drafted, Spurr remembers watching Geelong’s rise to greatness on TV.

“They are a great team and they have been very successful over the years,” he said.

“They have a lot of good players, so they are a very strong and competitive team.”

On Saturday, Spurr won’t be watching the Cats’ greats on TV, but standing alongside side them as the siren sounds to kick-off Freo’s 2012 finals campaign.

“They are players that you’ve watched and tried to build your own game around and watch how they play,” he said.

“That’s an exciting challenge and one to really look forward to.”

Spur hopes that, as a mature-age recruit with ample finals experience and success, albeit at a lower level, he will be ready for whatever gets thrown his way on Saturday.

“I’ve personally played in two winning grand finals, and in three finals series,” he said.

“They are some big games. With the pressure side of things, I’ve sort of dealt with that before, but I’m really looking forward to an AFL final.”

He’ll still be hitting up his more experienced teammates for all their knowledge right up to Saturday.

“I’m sure I’ll touch base with a few more experienced defenders like ‘Johnno’ and ‘Duff’ and those blokes that have played finals to get their thoughts,” he said.