The Bulldogs earned the right to play the Cats instead of the Saints by pinching third position from Collingwood with their 24-point win over the Pies on Sunday evening.
Eade said the Cats would be just as difficult as a finals opponent next weekend.
"They've proven themselves as the best team over the past three years, and St Kilda has proven themselves to be the best team this year," Eade said, on Sunday night at Etihad Stadium.
"Geelong has got players back and they'll be different to when we played them last week.
"We'll have some players back as well so there will be some personnel different, so I don't think [playing them instead of St Kilda] is any different."
Eade believes next Saturday's qualifying final will start as an even contest, given the Cats' recent record against them includes four wins from the past five starts.
However, he said the Dogs would draw confidence from they way they beat both Geelong and Collingwood over the past fortnight.
"We were able to fight back when challenged, and that way of winning cements belief", he said.
"Being able to be in front and then be challenged and maybe be headed, and be able to come back and win those games, [gives you confidence]."
The Dogs will have one less day to recover from round 22 than the Cats, which Eade says could make a small difference.
"You prefer in an ideal world to have seven days, but they played in heavy conditions [against Fremantle on Saturday], so their legs might be heavy as well coming out of the rain," he said.
He agreed the Bulldogs would enter this year's finals series better placed than they did in 2008.
"Certainly heading in, the form line is good, the belief is good, and it was an ideal preparation for us to play three quality teams heading into September," he said.
"We didn't get any injuries today, [Ben] Hudson will be back and [Ryan] Griffen will be available, so we're just about a full book.
"From that point of view, it's been as good as we could expect."
Eade said the Bulldogs' last three games, which have included wins over the Brisbane Lions, Geelong and now Collingwood, gave his players real confidence they could go all the way.
"There is general belief they can beat any team in the finals, but to win it, you've got to win three games against three good teams," he said.
"I think whoever does that is going to deserve it."
Hudson was a late withdrawal with back related hamstring tightness, while Griffen has missed the last three weeks with a hamstring.
