Nick Blakey is yet to experience Dan Menzel’s on-field mentorship but the former Cat has still had a major influence on the young forward’s promising start to his AFL career.
Menzel underwent off-season groin surgery after joining the Swans last year, having left Geelong after overcoming four knee reconstructions in a 73-game career.
The 27-year-old is now fully fit, with coach John Longmire unsure whether to hand him a club debut against former side Geelong on Saturday.
Regardless of whether Menzel plays on Saturday or not, his advice will be on the mind of protege Blakey.
The pair regularly study footage of Blakey plus gun forwards from other teams, such as Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey, to help the 19-year-old improve in his maiden season.
“Menz has taught me heaps on my leading patterns, protecting the drop zone and all the stuff he’s really good at,” Blakey told reporters on Thursday.
“We always go through my vision … I go through all my stuff with (Swans assistant coach) Steve Johnson and then it’s good to also go through it with Menz.
“He’s still playing and sees the game really well.
“We also look at other good forwards … their leading patterns and other things.”
Blakey noted the Swans, seeking to record arguably the upset of the season by defeating the ladder-leading flag favourites in Geelong, would seek the advice of Menzel and Jackson Thurlow about their former teammates.
Geelong’s stingy defence has been a strong suit in a 9-1 start to the season, during which they’ve conceded a league-best 9.6 goals per game.
Blakey insisted his team, having come close to beating second-placed Collingwood last week after recalling fit-again superstar Lance Franklin, will not be intimidated.
“We all believe our best football is as good as any team. If we play our best, all the boys believe there’s not many teams who can come with us,” he said.
“We think we are a hard forward line to stop, and pretty dangerous, when we’re all up and firing.
“If we get back to our best, make it a real scrap and contested game then we’ll be right in the hunt.”