Geelong ruckman Mark Blake doesn't want to look back for AFL motivation, but doesn't need to either.

As the Cats' hard-luck story of 2007, when he was dropped for the grand final and missed the club's breakthrough premiership, finding that drive to work hard over the summer came naturally enough.

But 14 games into the 2008 campaign, with the reigning premiers in irresistible form and hot favourites to defend their title, Blake is firmly focused on the future when it comes to challenging himself to keep working hard.

"Last year didn't end up the way I wanted it to, so I've just been trying to focus on this year and try to leave the past there," he said.

"It's one of those things, you're always going to be think about it but if you can, let it go.

"That was the main (motivating factor) over the summer, but now it's week in, week out trying to play good footy and do the job for the team.

"We've only lost one game for the year, so it's just a good motivation to keep trying to play well and hopefully towards the end of the year look at the finals and try to be a successful team again."

Even though Geelong are flying, Blake said the Cats were always at each other to keep raising bar.

For the 22-year-old ruckman, who has chalked up 47 games in four seasons, this weekend's challenge is closing the gap on Fremantle's Aaron Sandilands at Skilled Stadium.

Sandilands dominated the round six match, when Geelong came back to win by one point, with a night that featured 42 hit outs, 24 disposals and a goal.

"He had a great game in round six so I'm looking forward to going out there again and giving it another crack," said Blake of the 211cm Docker, who is now one of the competition's best big men.

But Blake believes he, too, has improved in 2008, as his statistics are around the same they were last year, although he felt his kicking and decision making had improved.

"I'm kicking a few more goals too, which gets the crowd off my back a bit," he said.

"The guys you've got under you, all you do is hit in to the spot and back those guys to get it and they just do such a great job.

"Guys like Lingy (Cameron Ling), Joel Corey, Jimmy Bartel and Gaz (Gary Ablett) make you look a little better, I think."

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