Cam Mooney: Blicavs’ 300 games built on doing whatever Geelong needs

The most important thing out of Geelong’s win over West Coast wasn’t the margin, it was the moment they decided the game was over.

It was tight early. West Coast came with energy and made it a contest, and for a while Geelong were just going with them. Then midway through the second quarter, the Cats lifted for five or ten minutes and the game was done.

That’s the sign of a good side. You don’t have to dominate for four quarters, you just have to know when to take control. Geelong did that, and once they got on top, they never looked like letting it slip.

What I took out of it more than anything was how their midfield is starting to settle.

Tanner Bruhn and James Worpel gave them exactly what they needed around the ball. Worpel’s work at stoppage was strong, he got his hands on it and gave them first use, while Bruhn’s run and carry added a different dynamic. That combination matters because it frees up others.

We saw Max Holmes spend time off half-back, which gives you drive. Bailey Smith can play more on the outside where he’s most dangerous. When your inside mids are doing their job, it makes everyone else better.

That’s the balance Geelong has been working towards. When they get Dangerfield back into the side, even in short bursts through the midfield, it just sharpens that mix again.

Jeremy Cameron was another who took a step forward. Three goals doesn’t jump off the page, but his contest work did. His one-on-one marking looked strong, and that tells you his timing and confidence are coming back after an interrupted lead-in.

Now the focus turns to Friday night against the Bulldogs, and this is where it gets serious.

The Dogs are coming off a loss, but that can be dangerous. They’ve been one of the better sides this season and they’ve got enough quality through the middle to test you. You know they’ll respond.

For Geelong, this isn’t about proving they can beat a lower side. It’s about backing up and playing with the same intent against a genuine contender.

But the biggest story of the week sits with Mark Blicavs.

Three hundred games from a rookie pick who didn’t grow up playing the game is remarkable, but the number only tells part of it. It’s what he’s done in those 300 that matters.

I honestly think he’s the best utility the game has seen. Not a swingman who can fill in, but a genuine player in every part of the ground. He can ruck, he can tag, he can play key defence, he can go forward, he can run on a wing. And he doesn’t just survive in those roles, he competes and performs.

Players like that are priceless inside a club.

He allows the coaching staff to adjust on the fly. If something’s not working, he’s the one you move. If there’s a match-up problem, he’s the one who fixes it. That flexibility is a big part of why Geelong has stayed competitive for so long.

But the real reason he’s got to 300 is his mindset. When he first came in, he didn’t rely on talent. He learned the game. He asked questions. He worked out how to fit into a system that demands high standards.

That’s what Geelong has always been about. Players who buy in, who do the team things, who stay consistent over a long period.

Friday night is a big test, and it’s a fitting stage for him. If Geelong bring the same midfield pressure and take their chances when the game is there to be won, they’ll be right in it.

But against a side like the Bulldogs, you don’t get to pick your moment.

You have to be ready from the start.

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