ZAC TAPS FORM

ZAC Smith, pictured, is mounting a case to be Geelong’s No.1 ruckman for the rest of 2017.

The big man is enjoying a sizzling patch of form, dominating against the Bulldogs a fortnight ago before backing it up last week against Port Adelaide.

In comparison with other ruckmen, Smith is ranked on top for clearances, second for disposals and fourth for hit outs.

He has also laid 14 tackles — one less than Joel Selwood — to be the fifth ranked Cat in that category over the past two weeks.

The AFL’s player ratings have him as one of the competition’s form players.

“He’s been excellent with his follow-up work around the ball,” Geelong’s director of coaching Simon Lloyd said.

“He has given us a big advantage in the air and at ground level. He showed that in the Bulldogs game and had a really good duel with Paddy Ryder against Port Adelaide.

“He’s performed at a high level over the last couple of weeks and I suppose (consistency is) what every individual in the team works on.”

The former Sun faces another big test at Simonds Stadium tonight, but Lloyd is confident he can handle Adelaide’s Sam Jacobs.

“Sam has a high work rate. He plays high game time in the ruck, around 95-96 per cent,” he said.

“He is a good tap ruckman and gives the Adelaide midfielders good looks on the outside and tries to get dangerous by pushing hard forward.”

If Smith’s form continues it is hard not seeing him slam the door shut on Rhys Stanley and claiming the mantle as Geelong’s No.1.

But Lloyd said Geelong was keen to keep an open mind.

“You’ll find at some stage or another, that you’ll see the two ruckmen going out there. And at other times we will play the one ruckman,” he said.

“Where Mark Blicavs fits in that as well . . . that’s to be seen.”