GEELONG forward Cameron Mooney says teammate Mark Blake will be out to prove a point in Saturday's NAB Cup quarter-final against St Kilda in Canberra.

In what's shaping as the most intriguing individual clash of the match, Blake will square off against former teammate Steven King in the ruck.

Despite playing 22 of the Cats' first 24 matches last year, Blake was dropped for the experienced King in Geelong's record-breaking premiership belting of Port Adelaide.

King was the best ruckman on the ground in the Grand Final, before being traded to St Kilda two weeks later.

Blake considered leaving the club in the wake of the Grand Final disappointment before signing a new three-year contract.

"Blakey's got a point to prove," Mooney said.

"He had a very good year, it probably finished in the way he didn't like so he's got a lot to prove to everybody.

"Every game for him should be a huge challenge."

Former captain King only played six senior matches in his last season at Geelong, forcing his way into the grand final team at Blake's expense with a solid showing the previous week in the Cats' VFL triumph.

While Mooney said King is still one of his great mates, he's looking forward to playing against him.

"I'll try and trip him over, whack him across the ears," he said.

Mooney said the Cats will continue to rotate players during the pre-season competition.

"We'll rotate a few players this week so if we win great, if we lose then so be it, it's not going to be the end of the world.

"It's more about getting prepared for round one, giving the younger kids an opportunity to play, that's our main focus at the moment."

Mooney even hinted he might have a week off if the Cats win.

Mooney said he was happy with how the forward line was working despite the absence of Nathan Ablett, who announced last month he was taking an indefinite break from the rigours of AFL football.

"Tommy Hawkins and Tommy Lonergan, I don't think they have to do anything special," he said.

"As long as they are around and play their part we'll be right."

Mooney also said he was not surprised with how sharp the reigning premiers were in their NAB Cup opener against Melbourne, citing a focussed pre-season.

The Cats thumped the Demons by 72 points at Skilled Stadium last Saturday.