MARK Blicavs is keen to see Geelong build on the momentum it gathered before the bye when it heads to Perth for the only time in the 2022 home-and-away season this weekend
The Cats will be chasing a fourth consecutive win when it faces the bottom-of-the-ladder West Coast at Optus Stadium.
Victory would put Geelong one game outside the top four with nine rounds remaining, including five games at GMHBA Stadium.
However, Blicavs knows the Eagles won’t be handing over the four points.
“They’re probably going to get a few experienced players back, too,” he said.
“It’s a cliche to say any team can beat any team, but it’s pretty true more than ever this season.
“We’re not taking this game lightly. We want to keep the momentum going that we’ve been able to build before the bye.
“The challenge is to switch back on as quick as we can for the (rest of) the season ahead, and it starts with West Coast this week.”
CATS: FLAG MOTIVATION FOR GUTHRIE
The 31-year-old, who was recently announced as being honoured with life membership of the club, enjoyed his stint as the lone ruck when Rhys Stanley was sidelined with an ankle issue.
However, Blicavs is more than happy to have the former Saint back in the lineup.
“It’s nice that Rhys can work hard for 5-6 minutes, and then if he goes to the bench knowing he’s got me as a backup, it really works; it keeps him fresh,” he said.
“And then when he’s on the ground, he can put in some really good effort to try and spread, to try and take some contested marks, knowing that if’s fatigued on (the) ground and can’t get to a stoppage, we’ve got ‘Hawk’ (Tom Hawkins) up forward, myself around the ground, and even ‘DK’ at fullback is 203 and can have a hitout or two.”
“We’re just trying to build that chemistry. Rhys hasn’t had that much footy this year, but he looked fresh against the Doggies.
“We’ll continue to work on that (chemistry) at training and see what we can build.”
It was announced last week that Blicavs and good mate Cam Guthrie would receive their life memberships at next month’s Hall of Fame dinner.
“Being family friends – we grew up together – I think it’s something our parents would be really proud of, and a congratulations to them, too, encouraging us from a young age to do team sport,” Blicavs said.
“To be told I’m going to be a life member, and I’m going to share it with ‘Guth’, it’s very exciting.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
