Inside football's inner sanctum with Geelong's Harry Taylor

Senses are heightened, voices project, reflexes are sharp.

There is something unique and exhilarating about the moments before running up the race to face the fire with your mates. The calm before the impending storm ahead is a special time in my week, and this week's storm takes place at Etihad Stadium against the Bulldogs.

Individual arrival times vary for each player with the earliest arrivals walking through the doors sometimes two-and-a-half hours prior to the bounce.

Ready to face the fire: Geelong coming up the race to meet Hawthorn Hawks at at the MCG in March. Photo: Michael Dodge

The last few arrive about 45 minutes later. From then on players will go through their usual pre-game routines: strapping, massages and stretching are all normal activities. Ordinary, yet obligatory necessities of elite preparation.

Ankles are strapped, tendons warmed up and some touch-work with defensive coach Matty Scarlett are all a part of my routine. My anticipation begins to build.

An air of excitement starts to drift through the passageways, moving slowly and carefully at first, being deliberately careful not to be seen or heard.

Ruled by instinct: Harry Taylor being tackled by Kangaroo Robin Nahas at Etihad on June 11 Photo: Quinn Rooney

Some players like to head out onto the ground on their arrival to have a kick and a walk around and get a feel for the elements. I know most of the stadiums we play at quite well these days and prefer to stay indoors until we head out as a group for a pre-game warm-up around 45 minutes before the start.

It's a chance to start building pace and kicking over distance. The skip and I have had a kick-to-kick in this pre-game warm-up period for the past nine years. Maybe it's superstition, but the little pre-game kick-about is usually always with the same partner and is one constant in an ever-evolving world.

It's then back inside and into a team meeting. The coach will address the group and run through the game plan. Messaging is simple but pointed.

The days prior to a match have provided the opportunity to rehearse and reiterate, the moment now is about reinforcing key behaviours.

We walk out of the team meeting with confidence and clarity. That air of excitement has lost its subtly and no longer hides in the shadows. It stares you in the face on its way past and bounces around the room.

Just what makes this time of my day so special is the same thing that gets me excited late in a game when the result is on the line. It's the anticipation of the moment ahead and the subsequent release of adrenaline that is so addictive.

Expectation, opportunity, fear, failure and victory all muddle together in my mind and are ignited.

Nerves could describe it. Butterflies in the stomach, the stutter of words or tremble of a hand all encompass what it means to be nervous.

Being nervous usually has a negative connotation, but I believe being nervous doesn't have to be detrimental to performance. Nervousness can be a sign you care, a feeling that shows you are worried about consequences. You can be nervous, yet confident in your abilities at the same time.

Channelling nervous energy into the contest ahead is where the skill lies.

With 10 minutes left before bounce down we run through a series of short but intense drills to further sharpen our senses. The excitement now flails about  in every direction, striking everyone present.

Last instructions are delivered and we head out of the change rooms and up the race behind our inspirational leader. The roar of the crowd thunders in my ears as we break through the banner. A sudden calmness replaces the nervousness and anticipation that has resonated inside me for the past two hours.

The siren sounds and instinct takes over. The storm is here. A smile faintly is on my face. Where else would you want to be?