AFTER spending more than half of last weekend’s game at fullback, Andrew Mackie can expect more time in key defensive role again this weekend.

The departure of Harry Taylor after being knocked out during the second half of the loss to Sydney called for a defensive reshuffle that had Mackie pulled deep into defence.

So with Taylor likely to miss Friday night’s top-two hit-out against Collingwood at the MCG, there is good reason to expect Mackie being loaded with more defensive responsibility.

“On the weekend I played at fullback for about a half, which is fine because you have to do what the team needs,” Mackie said. “I’ll do whatever the team needs and if that means going back that’s fine and if it means going up to the wing that’s fine, too. Harry our will be a big loss, but it gives someone a chance.”

The Cats have shown the ability to cover fullback Matthew Scarlett for the odd game this season, so there is confidence in the depth about coping with any major holes in defence.

There is no question the absence of Taylor does create a sizeable hole, but Geelong will cover it, regardless of what the critics may think after the disappointing loss to Sydney.

Not that the Cats will have spent more time than necessary, beyond their normal postgame review, dwelling on the Sydney loss. The way is forward and the next challenge is Collingwood.

“It’s a good chance for us to really test our structures out and get the way we want to play for the weeks ahead,” Mackie said. “Coming off a loss you want to take good form into big games and playing Collingwood at the G with a big crowd its’ all go.

“The loss to Sydney showed us we’ve got to be on our game for the whole game against anyone. Sydney were able to get us and it just shows we can’t flirt with our form or our structures. We’ve got to be playing for each other and be fully cohesive with each other. If we’re not it brings us right back to the pack.”

Much has been made of Sydney’s dedication to manning up against the Cats and doing a much better job at the stoppages to eventually post a 13-point win.

But it was not like the Swans discovered Superman’s Kryptonite with their tactics and approach to the game. It was just that Geelong could not overcome that game plan as it had against other opponents.

“Teams have been going that for fair bit of the season anyway,” Mackie said. “To be honest, it shouldn’t matter about that they do. It was pretty disappointing on the weekend. There were a couple of key things we weren’t able to get the game on our terms. But we look at that and look ahead and do what we can to get on our terms.”

So expect a determined and focused Geelong to take to the MCG arena against Collingwood to make light of any suggestions or thoughts the Cats are playing another meaningless game with a finals spot already secure.

“To be honest, MCG, Friday night, Collingwood, big crowd, for us there’s lots to play for,” Mackie said. “Coming off a loss at home when we didn’t play anywhere near where want to be, we want to take some good form into the finals so for us there’s plenty to play for and that’s the way we’ll be going out.”