GEELONG'S reigning best and fairest winner Mark Blicavs is enjoying Zac Smith and Rhys Stanley's good form, because it has given him a licence to roam in the midfield.

After playing in the ruck for most of last season, Blicavs has found it easier to wake up the morning after games, and his shins are free of the bruises they acquired last season smashing into opponents.

"I feel like I'm moving a bit better," he said.

Although the former national representative athlete has been a revelation at Geelong since his debut in 2013, he admits he had to get back to basics after not recording a disposal in the second half against Carlton in round 10.

"It did wake me up a little bit," Blicavs said.

He sat down with his mentor Harry Taylor and worked out ways to simplify things, focusing on the contested part of his game.

In the past two weeks he has averaged four clearances and won 19 contested possessions.

He has also had front row seats to the best football show in town as Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood have gone to work.

"It makes it easier for me," Blicavs said.

"We hit the ball to them, they win it and I make attacking decisions off them, get a handball release and we are away. They are playing very well together and when they play like that it is very predictable and easy for me to read."

The former steeplechaser is now 10kg heavier and, he suggests, one minute slower for his pet event, the 3000m.

He is also loving that he is part of a Geelong team heading into a top four clash against the Western Bulldogs with a live chance.

He said the Western Bulldogs were contested-ball kings and the game presented a huge challenge.

"They hunt the footy," Blicavs said.

"They are ferocious and have some really good players who can get off the chain and are quite zippy, so we have to be really good around the ball again to take it forward and try to lock it in their forward 50."