GEELONG is set to be forced into at least two changes for Saturday night’s clash against Port Adelaide, with important duo Mark Blicavs and Tom Hawkins nursing hamstring injuries.
Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield said the two veterans will leave a big hole in the side.
“You can never replace two players like that,” Dangerfield said.
“They’re equally unique, Hawk’s one of the greatest of all time, and (Blicavs) is arguably the best Swiss Army Knife in the competition,” he said.
“It will be a different look but at the same time it provides opportunity and that’s the part that gets me excited.
“We’ve had some players who are playing some wonderful footy in our VFL program, so there’ll be some opportunities this week.
“Our best performances are still built off the back of really great collective performances, not just one outstanding player and that will be critical for us this week.”
Brandan Parfitt will be one option available to play some midfield minutes in the absence of Blicavs, after a 40-disposal game against the Northern Bullants in the VFL on Sunday.
Meantime, big man Esava Ratugolea continues to press claims to make his way back into the senior side, while Ollie Dempsey and Mitch Knevitt continue to perform solidly at VFL level.
Jeremy Cameron will be available to play, despite being the victim of an unprovoked attack at a Geelong pub on Saturday night.
The Power are coming off three-straight losses after going 13 games unbeaten, while the Cats will be keen to bounce back from a shock loss to Fremantle in Round 20.
Dangerfield said Geelong’s confident of getting the win on Saturday night, but won’t be taking Port easily despite the lean run of form.
“Whilst they haven’t won the last few weeks they’ve played, they played a terrific game against Collingwood and were very unfortunate not to win that,” he said.
“We know they’ve been playing great footy and we know we can play better footy.”
