FORMER Western Bulldog Luke Darcy believes Geelong ruckman Brad Ottens might hold the key to his side’s hopes of going back-to-back this season.

Darcy, now a commentator as well as an ambassador for the AFL, rates Ottens among Geelong’s most important players and says his output later in the year will be crucial in his club’s chances in September.

“If you try to pick out their [Geelong’s] most important players you probably throw [Matthew] Scarlett up, you’d throw up Gary Ablett and right up with that group is Brad Ottens,” Darcy told afl.com.au.

“I rate him as highly as any ruckman in the game, maybe a shade behind Dean Cox.

Darcy was at Skilled Stadium on Saturday to see Ottens play a pivotal role against the Bulldogs, with the star Cat having the better of Ben Hudson.

The former Bulldogs skipper said Ottens’ ability to outmuscle almost any big man in the competition made him a huge asset for coach Mark Thompson.

“His natural strength around the contest is unbelievable and I think sometimes people underestimate how physically strong of a character he is,” Darcy said.

“In last year’s finals series I think he was almost their best player.

“The way he was able to get the ball at ground level and his work rate on the deck now … I reckon that’s what’s improved in his game the most in the last three or four years.”

Collingwood belted Geelong by 86 points in round nine this season.

Much has been made of the Cats’ resolve following that match, but hardened Geelong fans have also noted the correlation between Ottens’ return the following week and their side’s unbeaten run since.

Geelong has enjoyed an average winning margin of 11 goals in the time its star big man has returned to the fold.

Darcy believes Ottens’ influence in the coming months will be paramount to Geelong going all the way again in 2008.

“In the preliminary final last year when they were in strife and it was a close contest he was the best player on the ground,” he said.

Darcy said Ottens, whom he felt was unlucky to miss All-Australian selection last season, perfectly fitted the mould of the modern ruckman who could not only provide a contest at stoppages but also be an asset around the ground.

A foot injury forced the big Cat to miss the first nine matches of this year, meaning All-Australian selection is again likely to dodge the one-time Tiger.

Darcy believes Cox, the West Coast star dominating despite his side’s struggles, has his nose in front in that tightly-run race.

“I think he [Cox] deserves it for his efforts and his consistency,” Darcy said.