Geelong coach Mark Thompson has dismissed comparisons between his Cats and the Essendon side of the turn of the century which, history suggests, failed to capitalise on its premiership window.

Inspired by their 1999 preliminary final loss to Carlton in one of the greatest upsets in finals history the all-conquering Bombers romped to the premiership in a stellar 2000 season but surrendered meekly the following year to the Brisbane Lions.

The Cats' stuttering form and their failure to defend the 2007 premiership when upset by the Hawks last season suggests they too are in danger of underperforming.

Should they fail to win the 2009 premiership coming off 58 wins from their past 64 matches, history will judge them harshly.

"That's what some people are saying but I think we've got an enormous amount of talent - more talent than the Essendon side in 2001," said Thompson at Skilled Stadium on Tuesday.

"We're in better shape than the Essendon side in 2001 because we've managed our players extremely well and I would be not one bit surprised if in the next couple of weeks we just play some sensational football."

"It would be a shame for this group not to be more successful than they are."

Thompson said he expects Steve Johnson to strip fitter against Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night for two runs back from a hip injury, and the coach rates small forward Mathew Stokes a 70-30 chance to get over a quad injury sustained in last Friday night's loss to Carlton.

The return of key defenders Matthew Scarlett and Harry Taylor will be offset by the loss of Darren Milburn and David Wojcinski with ankle injuries while James Kelly and Paul Chapman will be sidelined for at least another week as well because of their injured hamstrings.