IN THE three seasons that Jeremy Laidler spent at Geelong he played a role in the build-up to many cut-throat games in September.

Yet it wasn't until Sunday that the defender, who quit the Cats to join Carlton late last year, was finally able to experience what it's like to play in a finals match.

"Coming from Geelong, I always filled up the numbers at training during all their finals series, so it's good to get the reward of playing in a final," he said after gathering 15 possessions in the Blues' 62-point thrashing of Essendon at the MCG.

"I was pretty nervous in the first quarter, although when you get a touch early the nerves go away.

"The pressure was on, and that's finals footy I suppose. It was game-on."

After being recruited by Geelong in the 2007 rookie draft, Laidler was promoted to the Cats' senior list in 2009.

But he asked to be traded to the Blues after managing to play only two senior games in two seasons.

"It's been a good move," the 22-year-old said.

"All the coaches have had faith in me to play tall or small, and I've just taken the opportunity.

"Down at Geelong, there weren't many openings down back because their backline is pretty settled, so I'm really thankful for the opportunity I've had at Carlton."

The Blues began the match by kicking five consecutive behinds. Laidler and his fellow defenders then had their hands full when the Bombers responded by booting three quick goals.

"I suppose we didn't take our opportunities early, then they got three easy goals, so it hurt us," said Laidler, who ended the contest with nine rebounds from defensive 50.

Carlton's next assignment is a semi-final clash with West Coast in Perth on Saturday night.

"We went over there not long ago and played Fremantle and we went pretty well," Laidler said.

"I heard it's going to be pretty hot over there - maybe in the 30s. It'll be a good test for us and we're up for it."

Yet it wasn't until Sunday that the defender, who quit the Cats to join Carlton late last year, was finally able to experience what it's like to play in a finals match.

"Coming from Geelong, I always filled up the numbers at training during all their finals series, so it's good to get the reward of playing in a final," he said after gathering 15 possessions in the Blues' 62-point thrashing of Essendon at the MCG.

"I was pretty nervous in the first quarter, although when you get a touch early the nerves go away.

"The pressure was on, and that's finals footy I suppose. It was game-on."

After being recruited by Geelong in the 2007 rookie draft, Laidler was promoted to the Cats' senior list in 2009.

But he asked to be traded to the Blues after managing to play only two senior games in two seasons.

"It's been a good move," the 22-year-old said.

"All the coaches have had faith in me to play tall or small, and I've just taken the opportunity.

"Down at Geelong, there weren't many openings down back because their backline is pretty settled, so I'm really thankful for the opportunity I've had at Carlton."

The Blues began the match by kicking five consecutive behinds. Laidler and his fellow defenders then had their hands full when the Bombers responded by booting three quick goals.

"I suppose we didn't take our opportunities early, then they got three easy goals, so it hurt us," said Laidler, who ended the contest with nine rebounds from defensive 50.

Carlton's next assignment is a semi-final clash with West Coast in Perth on Saturday night.

"We went over there not long ago and played Fremantle and we went pretty well," Laidler said.

"I heard it's going to be pretty hot over there - maybe in the 30s. It'll be a good test for us and we're up for it."