Blicavs on the excitement heading into a Finals campaign

We are very excited, obviously we weren't there last year so it is nice to still be in the competition this time of the year.

We can't wait for Thursday night to kick off the Finals series. It is going to be a big crowd, good atmosphere and we are prepared for it.

It is great that we are in Finals, we have come in with a relatively healthy list which is nice. It is different year to year, but we are really excited to play and we are trying to have a lot of fun with our footy and build some consistency.

Everyone is preparing the best they can, we are really looking forward to the travel. 

Blicavs on combating Port Adelaide's strengths

I think their whole midfield is a strength and they showed that here last time we played them, they had a great first half. Horne-Francis was one of those players that led the way through the centre bounces.

It is a team focus, as we always do we put time into certain individuals but their midfield as a whole is a big strength of theirs.

We will need to be sharp from the get go because they start games well, the atmosphere will be loud so we need to settle our nerves and play with composure.

It is going to be a good battle in there. 

Blicavs on Ollie Dempsey's Rising Star

It is amazing, it was very well deserved.

I saw him talking up on stage and that is how he is with his personality, he loves to chat, has a lovely character and he genuinely has fun playing out there.

You see these high pressured games and high pressure moments, for such a young player he handles them exceptionally well. No doubt Thursday night he will handle the big stage very well, but it is nice recognition for the hard work he has put in.

This year especially he has played with that freedom, he has kicked some freakish goals and some that I wouldn't even attempt. He just has fun out there and it shows. 

Blicavs on the Cats mentality entering September

We talk about this Finals period, that is a very fun time of year and we are very privileged to be in this situation.

We talk about trying to make the most of the opportunity, but don't let it create tension.

We still want to have fun out there and play the footy that we have been playing to get us to this point.

But that is why we play footy, everyone is motivated to win the premiership. We want to continue to have fun in the process while we do it.