A small pile of honey sandwiches will be waiting on a bland but functional table in the corner of the changerooms at the MCG on Saturday night. As I arrive at the ground I will head straight to that table.

Do I eat two or three sandwiches? The question will be directed out of courtesy to the part of my brain that controls everything around preparation for battle. But the rest of me already knows the answer is more likely four than two.

I love honey, but its manufacturers are what fascinate me most. Honey bees are amazing creatures. There is much to be learnt from the sociology of bees, the careful organisation of their colonies.

The dominant leader, the queen bee, is surrounded and protected by an army of selfless workers. Some hunt for nectar to be churned into honey, others safeguard the hive with ferocity and valour. Bees work incredibly hard in whatever role they play.

The social chemistry of a bee colony is a pretty good blueprint for the success of any team within sport. Work hard, know what you need to do then go out and get it done.

Saturday night's battle presents a great opportunity to play like bees. The nectar comes in the form of a Sherrin, the hive two tall white posts, the queen bee symbolises the team, while the honey is four valuable points. I am graced with the role of protecting the "hive" against enemy threat, and tonight that threat comes in the form of a flock of hungry birds - Hawks to be exact.

Our colony is made up of "bees" of varying ages and experience. Some bear the scars of battles gone by, while others are fresh-faced and new to this peril of the powerful brown-and-gold bird. Diligence to the task by all will be necessary to keep the hive intact.

Our recent clashes with Hawthorn have been wonderful games to be involved in. Shifts in momentum and energy within these encounters enlighten your senses. The thud of your heart and tingle in your fingers colourise your reality. You could say you almost feel as though you're buzzing.

There is no better place than standing toe-to-toe with an opponent at the entrance to the hive. The sounds of nature scream and shout from every direction. A wrong move could jeopardise the fruits of your labour. You just have to give it all of the "sting" you've got.

Ross Lyon said recently that we are in "the business of entertaining". Cats versus Hawks - that's entertainment.

I grew up on a farm where our income came from flowers, fruit and vegetables. Bees were vital to our way of life. I was stung on my fair share of occasions during failed attempts to thieve their sweet, golden honey, learning some valuable lessons in the process.

Those bees knew how to protect their hive, and as the Cats run out on Saturday night I will reflect on those lessons of tenacity and persistence that the bees taught me and try to use the same traits to protect our hive against the Hawks.

My idea of team prosperity is the result of myriad affirmative actions and behaviours that are performed consistently over time. Maybe more ideas and answers around team success lie in the mind and spirit of the honey bee.

Winston Churchill once said: "If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of prosperity, they have only got to behave in a helpful way toward one another." Helping one another succeed for a greater good, while having no care for who gets the credit, seems to be built into the DNA of the honey bee.

Those who learn most from its actions might just be the ones who get to taste the sweetest cup of honey of all.