View Full Version : Rookie 48. Mark Blicavs (2012-)
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/126677/default.aspx
GEELONG has sprung a major recruiting surprise, rookie listing a 20-year-old middle distance runner who hasn't played football since he was 14.
Mark Blicavs, the son of former Australian basketball representatives Andy and Karen Blicavs (nee Ogden), stands 198cm tall - the same height as his new teammates Nathan Vardy and Trent West - and runs three kilometres in less than eight-and-a-half minutes.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/126677/default.aspx
thecatattack
29 Nov 2011, 16:08
So, does he have any skills or can only run?
you pick one
29 Nov 2011, 16:09
[quote=Carlos Herrrnandez;22911708]Mark Blicavs. Thank me later.
Where all a bit slow.
oozeboss
29 Nov 2011, 16:43
I know the Blicavs through basketball (although I've never been close to them by any means), and his bloodlines are excellent. He'll be uber focused & disciplined, and if he takes after his folks, come gym time he'll muscle up something fierce. Andy & Karen were both lovely off court/ scarey when on.
A very very astute piece of cattle rustling by (surprise surprise surprise) Mr Wells.
BTW: through his dad's line, he could well be our first Latvian descended player (or was Andy a Lithuanian?).
Cat Attack08
29 Nov 2011, 17:03
Love when we get a player of the same type that the Hawks get but where we pay under's for our players, the Hawks pay overs.
Hawks - Smith @ 16
Cats - Murdoch @ 48
Hawks - Hill @ 33
Cats - Blicavs @ Rookie Listed outside the list
Mr Wells you sir are a certified genius
spudmaster
29 Nov 2011, 17:31
Love when we get a player of the same type that the Hawks get but where we pay under's for our players, the Hawks pay overs.
Hawks - Smith @ 16
Cats - Murdoch @ 48
Hawks - Hill @ 33
Cats - Blicavs @ Rookie Listed outside the list
Mr Wells you sir are a certified genius
Hill - 179cm
Bilcavs - 198 cm
Same type? The fact one is a middle distance runner who may be able to kick a football, and one is a footballer who happens to be able to run?
You can't honestly use that comparison to support the above statement, surely.
And please, suggesting we payed overs for Smith @ 16 and you paid unders for Murdoch at 48 the previous year? One has yet to play, the other played 16 games. That's a bit rich.
The rabbi
29 Nov 2011, 17:38
Importantly for Geelong, in joining as a formerly unregistered player, the former Sunbury junior won't take the spot of another rookie on the 2011 premiers' list.
"You've got to explore all the options, and that's what we're doing," Wells said.
"We'd like to emphasise that he's not taking the place of a footballer at the moment.
"He's an extra on our rookie list, so we think it's worth a punt."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/126677/default.aspx (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/126677/default.aspx)
Cat Attack08
29 Nov 2011, 18:16
Hill - 179cm
Bilcavs - 198 cm
Same type? The fact one is a middle distance runner who may be able to kick a football, and one is a footballer who happens to be able to run?
You can't honestly use that comparison to support the above statement, surely.
And please, suggesting we payed overs for Smith @ 16 and you paid unders for Murdoch at 48 the previous year? One has yet to play, the other played 16 games. That's a bit rich.
Karen Blicavs (nee Ogden), stands 198cm tall - the same height as his new teammates Nathan Vardy and Trent West - and runs three kilometres in less than eight-and-a-half minutes.
As a comparison, Hawthorn draftee Brad Hill ran the fastest 3km time trial at this year's NAB AFL Combine, finishing in nine minutes and 52 seconds.
Your right Mark is nearly 20cm taller and the one thing Hill had going for him was how everyone was gushing over his tank at the Draft combine.
Wonder what they would have done over Mark at the Draft combine if he had put up his <8.30 mins for the 3kms there
vinum coupe
29 Nov 2011, 18:22
Have I missed something? They've already done the rookie draft??????
Edit; Just worked it out.
vinum coupe
29 Nov 2011, 18:25
Mark Blicavs. Thank me later.
We're all a bit slow.
If it comes true PO needs to make an apology in so much of a smart us tune as the original response to the suggestion.
Turbocat
29 Nov 2011, 18:25
No blood , no foul.
Probably 10:1 shot of ever playing a game but its worth a go.
vinum coupe
29 Nov 2011, 18:26
Your right Mark is nearly 20cm taller and the one thing Hill had going for him was how everyone was gushing over his tank at the Draft combine.
Wonder what they would have done over Mark at the Draft combine if he had put up his <8.30 mins for the 3kms there
He only did 14.50 for 5k's.
That's pretty good / bloody good but I'd hardly call it a tank.
Do repeats for 2 hours and see how you stack up.
Turbocat
29 Nov 2011, 18:31
He only did 14.50 for 5k's.
That's pretty good / bloody good but I'd hardly call it a tank.
Do repeats for 2 hours and see how you stack up.
Do it being wacked in the gonads or jumping for the ball while Pods jumps into your back and with guys like Scarlett running of you and giving you a freebie when under the ball.
Its one thing to run , its another to run ..and keep running after copping it.
Do it being wacked in the gonads or jumping for the ball while Pods jumps into your back and with guys like Scarlett running of you and giving you a freebie when under the ball.
Its one thing to run , its another to run ..and keep running after copping it.
At 198cm it just might be him wackin'em in the gonads, and with his speed he'd be long gone before they got up.
I for one am wrapped that our recruitment staff have the ability to use every avenue and add to our list obvious freakish natural talent, whether this pays off only time will tell, but Ryan Bathie might be elevated to play AFL 2012.
You don't have to be 180cm to be able to run, or have endurance, surely this reveals the myth.
Turbo, Only the best runners in AFL might do 17mins for 5km, its friggin flying.
Ricketts
29 Nov 2011, 19:17
This isn't counted as one of our selections in the Rookie Draft, is it? That's how I'm reading it.
thejester
29 Nov 2011, 19:19
This isn't counted as one of our selections in the Rookie Draft, is it? That's how I'm reading it.
Yeah, it isn't. Same as Bathie last year.
Good move from the club. All we stand to lose is the guy's wages...hardly a concern given our financial position.
At 198cm it just might be him wackin'em in the gonads, and with his speed he'd be long gone before they got up.
I for one am wrapped that our recruitment staff have the ability to use every avenue and add to our list obvious freakish natural talent, whether this pays off only time will tell, but Ryan Bathie might be elevated to play AFL 2012.
You don't have to be 180cm to be able to run, or have endurance, surely this reveals the myth.
Turbo, Only the best runners in AFL might do 17mins for 5km, its friggin flying.
Real left field selection. Judging by Stephen's comments even he thinks it's a long shot. But as he "won't take the spot of another rookie on the 2011 premiers' list" guess it's hard to see there's huge downside. That said, with all his success in the main draft, Stephen hasn't exactly excelled in the rookie area.
I played with him for the 3 or 4 years that he played. He's one of those guys that is good at everything they put their hand too. Just a natural talent.
He won the B&F and came second in the League B&F in his first season - narrowly losing to Mitch Banner.
He'll be 100% committed and is very disciplined. Hope it works out for Geelong and Mark.
legendstatus
29 Nov 2011, 20:23
Hmmm first Grandpa from the VFL now a middle distance runner that has not kicked a footy for years? Smells of desperation in 2012?
Hoffy95
29 Nov 2011, 20:30
Hmmm first Grandpa from the VFL now a middle distance runner that has not kicked a footy for years? Smells of desperation in 2012?
There weren't any criminals left to draft.
Hmmm first Grandpa from the VFL now a middle distance runner that has not kicked a footy for years? Smells of desperation in 2012?
Looks like you jumped on the bandwagon at the wrong time buddy!
Hoffy95
29 Nov 2011, 20:37
Some may say he's on at the right time.
I mean, Buckley and Eade know how to win a flag or two. :thumbsu:
Cat Attack08
29 Nov 2011, 21:00
Hmmm first Grandpa from the VFL now a middle distance runner that has not kicked a footy for years? Smells of desperation in 2012?
As opposed to filling your list full of Irishmen
International player inclusion on rookie list
Collingwood - Caolan Mooney (Ireland)
bobbycatsfanme
29 Nov 2011, 21:24
Hmmm first Grandpa from the VFL now a middle distance runner that has not kicked a footy for years? Smells of desperation in 2012?
how old's Jolly next year?
When was Didak's last kick?
Took Collingwood 2 shots at finalizing the deal in 2010, on the 1st attempt you guys failed under pressure, on the 2nd attempt...St Kilda rolled over and let you get the win but in 2011 when it came time to really putting in a fight, well..the true Collingwood shined :D
Can't wait for yet another abysmal finals campaign from your mob in 2012.
Think you guys may have been taken in by a troll. Just sayin........
Selective Retention
29 Nov 2011, 22:07
Runners tend to make terrible footballers, the basketball line through the parents give me some hope he can buck the trend ;)
I was pretty sceptical with Bathie and had very low expectations when I saw him play but he was pretty impressive whenever I saw the VFL. I'm not 100% on whether that is due to the low expectation base or not yet but why not roll the dice again.
Austin McCrabblett
29 Nov 2011, 22:12
Hmmm first Grandpa from the VFL now a middle distance runner that has not kicked a footy for years? Smells of desperation in 2012?
Hmmmm.....interesting choice of word, 'desperation', given your distinct lack of it against us.
Pure_Ownage
29 Nov 2011, 22:29
If it comes true PO needs to make an apology in so much of a smart us tune as the original response to the suggestion.
What? I was merely asking the bloke whether the guy he was alluding to was a runner, or whether I was thinking of the wrong guy. Next time I need to make that clearer so you don't completely misinterpret it. And I made the point that I think it's a good punt, given the progress Bathie has made this year. No complaints here from me.
vinum coupe
30 Nov 2011, 07:04
Think you guys may have been taken in by a troll. Just sayin........
Not only is he a troll, his own board cant stand him.
Selective Retention
30 Nov 2011, 10:42
Collingwood supporters have me amused on two fronts this pre season.
The first one is Jarrod Witts. The guy is Dawson Simpson minus 4 years development but because he is 208cm or whatever he is going to be a plug and play Sandilands. If Jolly's body continues to deteriorate they will be in big trouble and would be wishing they had picked up the Big O instead of bagging us for doing so.
The second one is about their salary cap. They have some deluded belief that all these players they have struggled to fit under the cap post season - Davis, Toovey, Macaffer etc - is just a ruse and that they have a spare 500k just sitting there for a free agency raid on a rival club next year. I've even seen "respected" Collingwood posters push this one which amazes me.
MOONEY 21
30 Nov 2011, 23:44
Hill - 179cm
Bilcavs - 198 cm
Same type? The fact one is a middle distance runner who may be able to kick a football, and one is a footballer who happens to be able to run?
You can't honestly use that comparison to support the above statement, surely.
And please, suggesting we payed overs for Smith @ 16 and you paid unders for Murdoch at 48 the previous year? One has yet to play, the other played 16 games. That's a bit rich.
Having fun reading our board mate? Bit quiet over on the hawks board is it?
SpudFarmers911
1 Dec 2011, 14:34
Demolished me in downball (and Im pretty good), enough said. Freak at everything.
bulletproof
1 Dec 2011, 16:24
Love when we get a player of the same type that the Hawks get but where we pay under's for our players, the Hawks pay overs.
Hawks - Smith @ 16
Cats - Murdoch @ 48
Hawks - Hill @ 33
Cats - Blicavs @ Rookie Listed outside the list
Mr Wells you sir are a certified genius
How did Hawthorn pay overs for Smith? He looked every bit a first rounder when I saw him last year in the finals. There is no comparison between these selections at all. C'mon on people lets not get too biased now.
Isaac Smith is the most overrated pile of steaming poo on this board.
A first round pick in last year's draft was a massive reach.
Selective Retention
1 Dec 2011, 22:17
The comparison is stupid but Smith is overrated.
Any one that disagrees pull the qualifying final out of the victory pack and count how many of his kicks find a hawthorn player.
catswhiskers
2 Dec 2011, 05:52
The comparison is stupid but Smith is overrated.
Any one that disagrees pull the qualifying final out of the victory pack and count how many of his kicks find a hawthorn player.
Spot on.
I noticed that on the day. The commentators were salivating over his possession count but missed the fact that nearly every kick missed the target. Missed a crucial easy set shot at the start of the fourth too.
Smith has made a good start but what I saw that game suggests he has lots to do yet (under pressure).
Our boy has only just got a jumper - he is well behind Smith at the moment!
So, does he have any skills or can only run?
haven't even played footy since 14. And is training for the 2012 olympics AND football. Don't think he'll do that well.
haven't even played footy since 14. And is training for the 2012 olympics AND football. Don't think he'll do that well.
The jury's still out for me. So the guy hasn't played football for six years. I seem to recall someone else currently on our rookie list who is a similar size to Blicavs and was playing college basketball in the States for about the same period of time. The guy goes by the name Ryan Bathie. He seems to have been able to adapt to playing footy after a long lay-off pretty well.
If Blicavs can play to a similar standard that Bathie played at this year, we'll be laughing. If not, it doesn't matter as it hasn't cost us that much to rookie list him. Well worth taking a punt on him if you ask me. After all, the last two guys I know of who played AFL and were 6'6 and could run like the wind were Buddy and Richo. If Blicavs turns out to be half as good as those two, it'll be a punt well taken.
its going to take a long time, although i havnt actually seen bathie play, hearing all the good reports here makes me excited, yet he is still some way off of actually playing. blicavs will take even longer as he has to put more weight on and is coming from a pure sport background as apposed to bathie who is a team sport player so there would be a higher transfer of skill in his instance.
i think the most important thing to remember here is that we have absolutely nothing to lose here so its a win win situation. however i for one am very excited to see the progress of mark and i'm hopeful he might just turn out to be a decent player. at that height and with that tank, if he can get his head around the game at the elite level he could be a real weapon
2011 Rookie Draft selection no. 54
Mark Blicavs
AussieLion
5 Jan 2012, 15:37
I have a massive problem with this selection. The guy hasn't played since he was 14 he has no level of experience in football. He wants to make the olympic squad? He may have natural talent in 3km running but that isnt football.
You have young men who have devoted their whole life to AFL football, who have experience and talent in the actual game and those guys were overlooked because some guy who hasnt played in years can run a quick 3km.
I think this is a foolish decision and the rookie selection should have gone to someone who actually deserved it.
I have a massive problem with this selection. The guy hasn't played since he was 14 he has no level of experience in football. He wants to make the olympic squad? He may have natural talent in 3km running but that isnt football.
You have young men who have devoted their whole life to AFL football, who have experience and talent in the actual game and those guys were overlooked because some guy who hasnt played in years can run a quick 3km.
I think this is a foolish decision and the rookie selection should have gone to someone who actually deserved it.
Problem is it couldn't have, as his position is outside the standard rookie list as he was a "player not registered or played for three years inclusion on rookie list". Hence we have one extra player on our total list in 2012 than we did in 2011.
As with Bathie, you'd reckon they'd have some idea that the kid can play.
Bathie will most probably be promoted to the senior list for the Menzel injury compensation.
He'd have to have pretty impressive potential for them to even shell out a rookies wage given the fact that it's still a fair amount of money for nothing, if you carn't mark or kick.
I mean what's he now entitled to given the jump up in player payments, does anyone know what he'd be on?
Obviously if he's got no talent, it is a foolish exercise!
I have a massive problem with this selection. The guy hasn't played since he was 14 he has no level of experience in football. He wants to make the olympic squad? He may have natural talent in 3km running but that isnt football.
You have young men who have devoted their whole life to AFL football, who have experience and talent in the actual game and those guys were overlooked because some guy who hasnt played in years can run a quick 3km.
I think this is a foolish decision and the rookie selection should have gone to someone who actually deserved it.
He's not taking any other players spot on the list,as SJ pointed out,so if it works then great and if he never turns up due to athletic commitments then it's no big loss.
There's better things to get upset about in the world than this,but thanks for your concern.
Turbocat
5 Jan 2012, 18:20
We should just take this for what it is , a long,long shot selection that has a chance of success because of his underlying athletic ability. Our sides structure will always come from the main stream and due to our high finishes we do have to think outside the square.
Is he more of a risk than some Irish recruits or for that matter some indigenous kids? Risk and Reward are bedfellows and if our risk is only financial its a reasonable project.
We should just take this for what it is , a long,long shot selection that has a chance of success because of his underlying athletic ability. Our sides structure will always come from the main stream and due to our high finishes we do have to think outside the square.
Is he more of a risk than some Irish recruits or for that matter some indigenous kids? Risk and Reward are bedfellows and if our risk is only financial its a reasonable project.
Believe me if he can play and he's got the ticker, at 198cm, he'll run the ground like a giant midfielder the likes we've never seen.
That's in a Blicavs' perfect world I know, the ingredients are there, but is the footy talent. Guess we'll have to wait and see on this one. :cool:
Has to be Steve Wells most radical selection ever, but there is a big upside.
As with Bathie, you'd reckon they'd have some idea that the kid can play.
Bathie will most probably be promoted to the senior list for the Menzel injury compensation.
He'd have to have pretty impressive potential for them to even shell out a rookies wage given the fact that it's still a fair amount of money for nothing, if you carn't mark or kick.
I mean what's he now entitled to given the jump up in player payments, does anyone know what he'd be on?
Obviously if he's got no talent, it is a foolish exercise!
Read somewhere that he was a more than handy jnr footballer perhaps winning or coming second in the league best & fairest before he gave it away. Well worth the punt and these types of athletes are only going to continue to get rookied if they show any promise. The rules are there to encourage it.
I played with him for the 3 or 4 years that he played. He's one of those guys that is good at everything they put their hand too. Just a natural talent.
He won the B&F and came second in the League B&F in his first season - narrowly losing to Mitch Banner.
He'll be 100% committed and is very disciplined. Hope it works out for Geelong and Mark.
Ahh here it is. Good post just before a troll post so this one got missed. Cheers Beev, shows the kid has some ability to work with.
Read somewhere that he was a more than handy jnr footballer perhaps winning or coming second in the league best & fairest before he gave it away. Well worth the punt and these types of athletes are only going to continue to get rookied if they show any promise. The rules are there to encourage it.
Not surprised! you don't become a Geelong player because you're 198cm and can run, takes a bit more to interest Wells and Balme its only to obvious.
If he can emulate Bathie's first year, hats off to Wells.
Pure_Ownage
5 Jan 2012, 22:11
As with Bathie, you'd reckon they'd have some idea that the kid can play.
Bathie will most probably be promoted to the senior list for the Menzel injury compensation.
He'd have to have pretty impressive potential for them to even shell out a rookies wage given the fact that it's still a fair amount of money for nothing, if you carn't mark or kick.
I mean what's he now entitled to given the jump up in player payments, does anyone know what he'd be on?
Obviously if he's got no talent, it is a foolish exercise!
He was good in 2011 but that's a big call, several other rookies also in good form and the NAB Cup to go, he's a fair way off that yet.
That said you'd suspect with Blicavs they would have done their own testing on him prior to his signing, both on his skills but also interviewing to get to know him as a person etc. That combined with his athletic potential is worth a punt, as SJ points out he's an extra on the list so it's basically a free hit, worth the punt.
Aussiemac82
24 May 2012, 09:50
2012 British Milers Club Manchester Grand Prix Sheffield 19 May 2012
1500m B Men
Mark Blicavs U23 Australia 6 128 9 03:46.99
http://www.runnerstribe.com/event/main/video/id/249346-2012-British-Milers-Club-Manchester-Grand-Prix-Sheffield/vid/636011-1500m-B-Men-alternate-angle
Finished 6th
PB this year for 1500m is 3.43
So this bloke doesn't even train and play with us full time.
Aussiemac82
24 May 2012, 10:04
That's what i am thinking.
Didn't make the steeple, allowed to have a crack at the 1500m.
In europe trying to still get a gig for oylmpic team.
Will know in the next couple of weeks its a chance. If not, he pulls on the footy boots.
year of the cat
24 May 2012, 10:49
The boy can run! He appears to have a frame that could put weight on too. Let's hope that he can play now!
The boy can run! He appears to have a frame that could put weight on too. Let's hope that he can play now!
I'm not sure about how much he can bulk up, but I hope you're right.
According to the Cats website he's 198 cm and only 78 kg, that's only 1 kg heavier than Shannon Byrnes at 175 cm.
Until he left to run in the European season, Mark was my masseur. He told me the club would like him to add another 10 kg, but even then, for his size he would still be relatively fragile. I guess the club feel that his speed, endurance and mobility will compensate for his lighter frame.