Speaking to Radio Sports National this morning, Cats ruckman Nathan Vardy declared Cats versus Swans blockbuster will be won or lost in the midfield.

“Sydney love it in the contest, I think we’ve got to match them at that.

“You see Sydney’s midfielders kicking goals and they’re always first back to help out their defenders.

“As a midfield group we’ve got to match them at their spreading and then with the contested ball in the middle, it’s probably going to be won or lost in the midfield.”

With Tom Hawkins and Paul Chapman returning to the Cats’ side this week, Vardy said the team are looking forward to the clash against a big side.

“Obviously Hawk is very vital to our structure when it comes to having that big target up forward.

“He’s always going to get the best defender and he’s very capable of kicking a big stack of goals.”

Chapman returns from a hamstring injury which has kept him out of the AFL side since their last game against Sydney at the SCG in Round 4.

“He’s (Chapman) got three flags, a Norm Smith, a club best and fairest as well, he’s been a very good player for a long time so it’s good to have Chappy back.”

With strong form in the VFL over the last three weeks, Chapman has well and truly earned his call up.

“From all reports his tackling and his spread away from the contest  have been ‘Chappy-like’.”

Personally for Vardy, his journey back into the AFL side and into the number one ruck spot has been a long one.

After battling a hip injury last year, Vardy started the pre-season slightly sore and missed the opening eight rounds.

“I was getting pretty worried about it; I didn’t know where it was at.

After ticking all the boxes with medical staff, Vardy returned to the VFL.

“I started to play and it’s actually been fantastic, it hasn’t ached or anything.

“It’s going to be managed for the rest of my career but at the moment, touch wood, it’s been fine.”

After a long road, Vardy now finds himself in the number one ruck position heading into September after Dawson Simpson went down with injury.

“It’s been a change because I haven’t played as this genuine ruckman since under 18’s.

“Blitz (Mark Blicavs) and I are pretty small ruckman but I’ve enjoyed being in the ruck, the body is adjusting to the workload, it’s a little bit different to playing as a key forward.

“ The more I play in there the more I’m going to get comfortable.”