Mark Blake's absence means Sydney's ex-Cat Shane Mumford will have to take out his aggression on Brad Ottens in the ruck contests against Geelong on Saturday night.

The 102kg Mumford's trademark style of using brute strength to make his mark led to a two-game suspension following his first clash with his old side in May at Skilled Stadium.

The Cats won the round-seven AFL encounter by 67 points and the Sydney ruckman was banned for a dangerous tackle on crowd favourite Gary Ablett.

Swans co-captain Adam Goodes says Geelong's willingness to rest key forward James Podsiadly (soreness) and leave out Blake, recalling Trent West to support Ottens, shows their embarrassment of riches.

Goodes says Mumford is extremely keen to dominate the ruck against the defending premiers at ANZ Stadium, particularly after Sydney's loss to 11th-placed Melbourne last week.

"Mummy would have loved to have played against both the one-two ruckmen at Geelong (Ottens and Blake)," Goodes told reporters on Friday.

"He certainly took up the challenge in round seven this year and he's really looking forward to getting out there to play against Geelong and crash-tackle a few blokes and tackle them to the ground - but not too hard."

Goodes says the eighth-placed Swans want to change people's perceptions of the club after last week's 73-point defeat, which he described as embarrassing.

"It's a bit of a shock what happened on the weekend," he said.

"There's no better challenge (than) to come up against the best team in the league.

"We really do have to out-battle them in the contested footy because if we don't do that, we're going to see another thrashing."

Goodes, who has returned to form in his midfield/forward role with three big games in a row, has welcomed coach Paul Roos' decision to field an unchanged side.

However Goodes warned: "No doubt if something like that (last week's performance) happens again in the last five games, changes will be made."

The dual Brownlow Medallist is mentally preparing himself for another personal duel with Geelong skipper and chief tagger Cameron Ling.

"I've had some great tussles with Lingy over the years," Goodes said.

"You don't just have to worry about Lingy picking you up, he's fantastic with his voice as well.

"When I do get away from him, other blokes always cover."

Geelong have recalled big forward Tom Hawkins from injury and boast several goal-scoring options.

"Their small forwards have been on fire this year so they're not going to struggle to kick a score without J-Pod there," Goodes said.

Even being without Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel (ankle) won't slow the Cats down, Goodes says.

"They've got good players coming from everywhere to play in that team and they're all in good form. That's the luxury they've got down there at Geelong," he said.

Geelong are chasing a club-record eighth consecutive win over the Swans, since Sydney prevailed at ANZ Stadium in round five 2006.

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