Blicavs

Joni Mitchell told us we don’t know what we’ve got till its gone. I think this will be very true when Mark Blicavs finally hangs up the boots (hopefully not for a few seasons yet).

 

Has there ever been a player who starts in the midfield and then has a rest in the ruck? Koutoufides is the only one I can think of who comes close. But even Kouta didn’t play both roles in the one game all that often. Blicavs does it every week…and runs about 15km as well.

 

I am very guilty of underestimating, under appreciating, and not completely understanding what Blicavs brings to the team.

 

Against the Demons a few weeks ago he was asked to run with Oliver and/or Petracca and then ‘rest’ in the ruck against Jackson. That’s a monumental ask. Its like asking Edmund Hilary to swim the English Channel after conquering Everest. Actually, that’s not really true. Everest was a lot easier to climb in the 1950s because it’s growing by 4mm every year, so Hilary had 276 fewer millimetres to climb back then. Too easy.

 

Last Saturday against the Blues Blicavs was given the task of running with Cripps and resting in the ruck against de Koning or Silvagni. He more than held his own. On quite a few occasions he competed in the ruck then ran with Cripps to the next stoppage. Then did it all again. And again. And when he saw the opportunity he’d charge forward and make Cripps expend energy running with him. Phenomenal effort.

 

Blicavs is the quintessential modern footballer: athletic, tall, and a utility type with the capacity to run relentlessly all game. But he also has the skills of a footballer. His wrong foot (he’s a natural right footer) is as good as anyone’s at Geelong under pressure. His marking is solid and he tackles the bigs, smalls, and in betweens. But perhaps his greatest asset is his curiosity and being a thorough student of the game.

 

If you were selecting an All-Australian side he’d be slotted into the ‘everywhere’ spot. Or perhaps ‘anywhere’. Probably carries the oranges with gusto as well.

 

When I was a kid I loved watching Gary ‘The Flea’ Wilson play. Gary was immensely skilled and incredibly fit. He literally ran his opponents off their feet. And whilst he was a different type to Blicavs he used similar weapons – an unbeatable aerobic capacity and an ability to adapt. He was just as capable as a small marking forward (underrated overhead) as he was as a ball winning midfielder. Blicavs also adapts, perhaps better than anyone I’ve seen. He can start in the middle, run in the ruck, switch to the wing, then go to fullback if required. All with hardly a flutter of fuss.

 

From what I can see Blicavs has never received three Brownlow votes and generally doesn’t feature strongly in the count. It’s probably because the umpires, like me, can’t quite work him out. Its not often that he gets beaten in his position, its not often that he really tears a game apart, but its very often that he gets the job done. Or multiple jobs. And some.

 

 

 

To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.

 

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?

And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.

One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE.

Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE.