Terry Wallace believes Geelong should consider using utility Mark Blicavs in a run-with role on Richmond superstar Dustin Martin.
Blicavs, 28, has played in a variety of positions throughout his 157-game career, but has excelled in a key defensive post in 2019, winning selection in the initial 40-man All-Australian squad.
A tactical reshuffle saw the dual best and fairest winner deployed on a wing in the Cats’ semi-final win over West Coast, underlying his flexibility and elite endurance.
With Martin looming large, Wallace thinks Blicavs has the tools to quell the Brownlow Medallist that could sway the midfield battle in Geelong’s favour.
“I would love to see him (Blicavs) take on Dustin Martin,” he told SEN Afternoons.
“He’s taken on (Scott) Pendlebury in the past. He hasn’t got a definitive role that they absolutely desperately need him for.
“He can be a backup ruckman, he can be backup as a defender, they didn’t need him there for the last few weeks. The wing role was ok; wasn’t a dominate role … to me he can go with Martin.
“He can take him as a backman, he can take him through the middle of the ground, he’s got a tank where Martin is not going to get rid of him from that area.
“It allows you to have (Patrick) Dangerfield, (Joel) Selwood, (Tim) Kelly and (Cam) Guthrie all up your sleeve. If it actually works - if you can take out their best, you might be able to get control of the middle of the ground completely.”
Geelong and Richmond will square off at the MCG on Friday night for a spot in this year’s Grand Final.
The first bounce is at 7:50pm AEST. You can hear the SEN call team of Gerard Whateley, Anthony Hudson, Garry Lyon, Terry Wallace and Mitch Cleary from 6pm.
Listen to Terry Wallace’s chat on SEN Afternoons in the player below