THE RUCKING battle between Geelong duo Trent West and Mark Blicavs and the Sydney Swans' pairing of Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke will be a crucial factor in Friday night's big clash at the SCG.

Although the Swans' big men have the runs on the board, with both having played key roles in their club's Grand Final win last year, West is confident that he and Blicavs have what it takes to nullify them.

"It definitely does help having Blicavs in the team," West told geelongcats.com.au.

"If I'm blowing I can always put my hand up and 'Blitz' will come on and give us a bit of a spell.

"As the weeks have gone on, we've also started using both of us on the ground at the same time.

"That's been really good. If one of us can't get to a contest, then usually the other one can get there.

"Pike and 'Mummy' also spend a lot of time out on the field together as well, so I think it will be a good battle in Sydney and hopefully we come out on top."

Cats coach Chris Scott has put the heat on his men to improve their clearance work against the Swans, and West and Blicavs have a crucial role to play in that.

"It puts a bit of pressure on us ruckmen, but that's good," West said.

"It makes us work harder, and you never want to lose a contest against the Swans because they make you pay.

"We have to do our best to win the hit-outs and get it down to our boys."

After undergoing knee surgery in February, West had a less than ideal preparation for Geelong's round one clash with Hawthorn.

"My fitness felt okay, but until you start playing footy you don't realise how much your fitness has been affected," he said.

"Because you can run as many laps as you want, but it's just not the same fitness."

However, West looked back near his best during the Cats' win over Carlton last weekend.

He roamed freely around the ground, gathering 15 possessions, winning 22 hit-outs and kicking a goal.

"I felt a lot better, so it does take a few weeks to get back to where you were," West said.

"It makes all the difference having that little bit more footy-fitness behind you."

Nevertheless, the fixture has not been kind to Geelong in the early stages of the season.

This is the third week in a row that the Cats have had only six days' rest between matches.

"It does (take a toll)," West said. "Last week I think it was a bit of a struggle for everyone to get up.

"But we just do a bit more recovery and a bit less training. We just do what gives us the best chance of getting back out on the park."