Out to promote the game after a poor crowd of just 20,031 against Melbourne last weekend, the Geelong coach said he was hoping for a crowd of 35,000 to get behind the Cats at Colonial Stadium.

Thompson expects Carlton to come out with all guns blazing as the cellar dwellers endeavour to win just their second game of the season.

``I think the start will be exciting,'' he said. ``It will be hard and furious and won't be an easy game by any means.

``They've been playing some reasonable footy and have been in games right to the end and I expect the same again this weekend.''

The Cats are out to redeem themselves after an embarrassing 70 point thumping at the hands of Carlton in round 22 last year.

``Carlton will be pretty confident of playing against us given their recent record against us,'' Thompson said.

``And we have not been that successful at Colonial, we've won a few games but not as many as we would have liked.''

Aaron Lord trained last night and is set to return to the lineup after missing the Demons' clash through illness.

It is one of two changes Thompson expects to make this week.

Gary Ablett junior could be in line for a run in the VFL after having limited game time the past two weeks.

``I'm not sure who will be out at this stage,'' Thompson said.

Meanwhile, two additional trains will be operating from South Geelong station to Spencer Street on Sunday.

The first 300 members to book to travel to the game by train will receive a showbag, and those travelling on the 11.25am train from South Geelong will be joined by injured Cat Mitchell White.