News Mark Blicavs

[The rabbi]

OK got you. Greg Williams and Couch were skilled at the long low kick too.

 

[FredLeDeux]

OK got you. Greg Williams and Couch were skilled at the long low kick too.

And Mark Blake.

 

[Turbocat]

OK got you. Greg Williams and Couch were skilled at the long low kick too.

The guys that can kick around the corner like Jarman can do it really well from an almost stationary position. On the run a lot harder. In the old days they used the used the stab pass to hit someone up. Dead skill now

 

[The rabbi]

And Mark Blake.

My apologies. I don't know how I managed to omit Mr.Blake.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

The shape . low and long ... high and short. Think how Harry kicks that raking left , a real wind cutter on the run. A penetrating kick with low altitude can catch defenders out, the high bomb just kills forwards...

Watched Chappy and Josh Hunt warming up at the WACA a few years ago.
They were 30m apart and kicking absolute low bullets to each other - bit of a competition where the marking guy stood still whist the kicker also stood still but with his kicking foot in the air , keeping it in the air until he kicked. Basically kicked from a stationary position.
Apart from the skill involved it underscored how powerful their legs are , was really impressive to watch.

 

[CharacterFirst]

Blicavs would be wasted on a wing. You would negate his match up b/c most wingers could do what he will be able to do. We want him the be a 2nd or 3rd ruck option who can play a key defensive or offensive role.

I see him and Vardy as competitors for spots. If we can get one of them forward, and one back, it would be mighty!

Adam Goodes is a good example, and if he is half that sort of player, he will be a champion and part of Premierships.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Blicavs would be wasted on a wing. You would negate his match up b/c most wingers could do what he will be able to do. We want him the be a 2nd or 3rd ruck option who can play a key defensive or offensive role.

No, most wingmen aren't 198cm tall. He can destroy any matchup either through height + gut-running (unspoilable) or if an opposition coach decides to put a tall on him, through pace and endurance. This is why you don't want him bulked up to 100+kg because then THAT brings him back to the pack if he gets a tall opponent with above-average stamina. He is more versatile than being plonked into a key position role, and should be shielded long-term from the grind and damage that ruckmen cause.

 

[Cat Addict]

This guy was doing 1.53 min for 800m and 8min 20 sec for 3 Kms. That's the fastest in the afl by a long way. That's 7 m a sec over 800 m and 6 m per sec over 3 Kms. So he has the speed and endurance to play anywhere. It's interesting that SC and DT have him positioned as a midfielder. Must be something in that.

And now magically today he is a ruck/mid in SC.

 

[meto]

No, most wingmen aren't 198cm tall. He can destroy any matchup either through height + gut-running (unspoilable) or if an opposition coach decides to put a tall on him, through pace and endurance. This is why you don't want him bulked up to 100+kg because then THAT brings him back to the pack if he gets a tall opponent with above-average stamina. He is more versatile than being plonked into a key position role, and should be shielded long-term from the grind and damage that ruckmen cause.

I imagine the club would recognise and value his extreme endurance capacities because this is what obviously sets him apart from your average 198-200cmer.
He could easily be a candidate for playing wing or CHF,........the concept of big = slow doesn't apply here!

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

I imagine the club would recognise and value his extreme endurance capacities because this is what obviously sets him apart from your average 198-200cmer.
He could easily be a candidate for playing wing or CHF,........the concept of big = slow doesn't apply here!

Tall doesn't equal slow, no. But heavy definitely has a negative effect on endurance, which is why Nick Riewoldt is renowned for his ability to keep running - and is also tipping the scales at a mere 96kg on 193cm. Ryder is known for his aerobic capacity as a mobile ruckman, and is playing at 197cm/94kg. Even Pavlich has trimmed down from 100kg to 98kg, no doubt in order to increase his endurance and reduce risk of injury. They don't always have to be absolute tanks to survive in a niche in AFL.

 

[meto]

Tall doesn't equal slow, no. But heavy definitely has a negative effect on endurance, which is why Nick Riewoldt is renowned for his ability to keep running - and is also tipping the scales at a mere 96kg on 193cm. Ryder is known for his aerobic capacity as a mobile ruckman, and is playing at 197cm/94kg. Even Pavlich has trimmed down from 100kg to 98kg, no doubt in order to increase his endurance and reduce risk of injury. They don't always have to be absolute tanks to survive in a niche in AFL.

I agree with you in every way, weight is the killer especially with injury, I don't think he's that 95kg they claim for him on the GeelongFC website but he probably isn't far off.
Elite athletes just keep running, guys like him just don't stop so I'm not concerned he'll bulk up to the point that he loses his endurance superiority.

 

[CharacterFirst]

No, most wingmen aren't 198cm tall. He can destroy any matchup either through height + gut-running (unspoilable) or if an opposition coach decides to put a tall on him, through pace and endurance. This is why you don't want him bulked up to 100+kg because then THAT brings him back to the pack if he gets a tall opponent with above-average stamina. He is more versatile than being plonked into a key position role, and should be shielded long-term from the grind and damage that ruckmen cause.

Of course he could play as a wingman, if he is good enough he could play anywhere. There aren't really many true positions in the modern game anyway.

But why would you be sold on him being a wingman? Other wingman are fast and have endurance, and probably better kicking skills. Besides, there are not really any match ups between wingmen now days. How many times do you see contested marks involving just wingers where height is the determining factor?

This is not 1975, where the backs kicked it up to the wings and two fast guys went at it. If it was, he might be useful there, as he could take the mark over the other winger, but still compete over the ground. Now days, his height is wasted there, as the ball gets run thru the area from half-back, or chipped around etc. The match up is all wrong.

You want him matched up to someone where his endurance etc counts. If he can match it in the air with other bigs, he can run them off their feet. Then we are talking.

100kgs for 6'6" isn't that big.

2nd ruckman, switching to CHF or CHB. Ruck Rover drifting forward or back like Goodes is another option.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Of course he could play as a wingman, if he is good enough he could play anywhere. There aren't really many true positions in the modern game anyway.

But why would you be sold on him being a wingman? Other wingman are fast and have endurance, and probably better kicking skills. Besides, there are not really any match ups between wingmen now days. How many times do you see contested marks involving just wingers where height is the determining factor?

This is not 1975, where the backs kicked it up to the wings and two fast guys went at it. If it was, he might be useful there, as he could take the mark over the other winger, but still compete over the ground. Now days, his height is wasted there, as the ball gets run thru the area from half-back, or chipped around etc. The match up is all wrong.

You want him matched up to someone where his endurance etc counts. If he can match it in the air with other bigs, he can run them off their feet. Then we are talking.

100kgs for 6'6" isn't that big.

2nd ruckman, switching to CHF or CHB. Ruck Rover drifting forward or back like Goodes is another option.

I think that's his niche.
He seems to be a quick learner so I think his ruckwork will improve and he has a terrific leap and timing which is a big plus under the new rules.
Will be a real handful on the spread due to his endurance and ability to cover ground effortlessly - we need to use this by looking for him which will require trust.
The other quality I love is his follow up and tackling - he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty and goes when it's his turn.
Played OK against the Roos , much better against the Pies and kicked a goal in each game. Also has been a while since a Ruck was named in our best players. All great signs , is doing everything asked of him so far which is all you can ask.

 

[dazbroncos]

Purely from an aerobic position, I would see him as a HFF. Let him just double and triple lead up all day long. Ask HT and Scarlo what it was like as defenders to pace up Reiwoldt. HT was blown up after 10 mins - and Blitzkreig would smash Nick for fitness. He would create so many leap up opportunities I think.

Now , that has no account for other forward patterns, ball movement or his skills etc.

But working with what he has right now.... run forrest run....

GO Catters

 

[meto]

Tom Lynch, young Stewart from GWS, Jesse White, Rhys Stanley and Naitanui are the same size as Blicavs and can play basically any position due to their aerobic capacity and agility to match it with smaller players.
Difference is they can actually kick beautifully on the run as well as take contested marks

Believe me their aerobic capacity would be 'diddly squat' in comparison to Marc Bilcavs. Your talking Holden Commodore compared to Porsche!

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

We're talking in terms of aerobic capacity here. Blicavs can run 3km in 9 minutes, putting him as a KPP in the forward/backline is a waste when he is able to cover so much ground in such a short time, without being an explosive sprinter as such. His kicking ability is not even really a factor here because he can run and carry through zones, repeatedly, over the entire game, once his confidence and nous of the gameplan is there - this is why I have suggested he play as a wingman and not bulk up too excessively, because he is currently a stamina machine. Let him play to his strength instead of pandering to some notion that he has to be (X) kind of player due to him being 198cm. Also CharacterFirst, 100kg may not be too much on a 6'6 KPP, but Blicavs was never running for distance at that weight now was he? Adding too much weight to his frame will drag him back into the pack.

 

[meto]

Porsche?
He hasn't even played a single game mate while those others have and likely start in round 1 while Blicavs is only currently playing due to necessity.

For a Porsche, I would have at least expected him dominate a 32 yr old has been on the weekend.

I'm talking about his ability to run and keep running, at that he'd just destroy these giraffes' that you call athletes.
It's a big world outside of Victoria Australia didn't you know?

 

[Turbocat]

Meto , what we he score on the Beep?

 

[meto]

Meto , what we he score on the Beep?

Don't know that one, but it'd be extreme.
Even an old guy like Monagetti running the tan, he'd just destroy any AFL player, they'd look more like the old man.
When elite middle distance runners run they float, it's unreal!
They don't even seem to be moving that fast, but they are.
Of course things have changed he's got to focus on footy skills and he has sized up which is great.

As you probably realize I'm a distance running fan, so I'm pretty excited that Mark has been able to do what he's done, it's remarkable.

 

[footscore]

Blicavs will slow down deep into 4th quarters though no matter how fit he is.
The consistent bumps and wrestling along with the concentration these athletes have to maintain, I'd assume it would be considerably more difficult than anything he has ever tried before in his life.

I'd also take an Olympic high jumper or long jumper over a long distance runner everyday of the week but you'd again have the exact same issues as what we are debating...all that athleticism counts for absolutely nothing if you can't predict or read the play like your opponent can.

 

[footscore]

Koutafides was a high jumper I think?
But he was blessed with a body built like a body builder.

 

[manboob]

From some athletics page.

800m:1:53.25
1500m:3:43.81
3000m:8:18.9h
5000m:14:31.00
3000mSC: 9:03.34

The first result is pretty exciting and we have to remember the last 3k was a Steeplechase so he closer to 8 minutes for 3Ks (second result).

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Blicavs will slow down deep into 4th quarters though no matter how fit he is.
The consistent bumps and wrestling along with the concentration these athletes have to maintain, I'd assume it would be considerably more difficult than anything he has ever tried before in his life.

I'd also take an Olympic high jumper or long jumper over a long distance runner everyday of the week but you'd again have the exact same issues as what we are debating...all that athleticism counts for absolutely nothing if you can't predict or read the play like your opponent can.

Another reason to keep Blicavs' role as a running player rather than a KPP or ruckman - the bumps would definitely affect him significantly. That said he's obviously not a pussy, since he's keen to play.

On the last point about reading the play, that's why he's a rookie, yes? To learn the game and all that? He's shown more in his very limited time on the list than, say, McKenna or Scott Simpson ever did in pre-season games. I agree that we shouldn't get carried away with his future prospects but speaking for myself, I'm talking about hypotheticals only when I put forth my opinion about what he could be.

 

[manboob]

Another reason to keep Blicavs' role as a running player rather than a KPP or ruckman - the bumps would definitely affect him significantly.

It's lazy but to be honest I would love to see him on one wing and Varcoe on the other, just give them the ball from half-back. Run 40 meters then kick it (hopefully better than Harry O).

 

[pinion]

i'd love to see an experiment where he plays as some sort of mobile key position player, who is constantly one kick in front of the play. he'd be providing a marking target around the ground, making use of his height, and would be constantly on the move to maintain his position, making use of his endurance.

his game sense would need to improve, but i think he could burn off most potential opponents.