News Mark Blicavs

[Liger]

Recruiting by Dream Team Points.
Well done, mate, you've just sewn up the Harry O Award for Loopiest Post of the Year.

DT, SC, or just look at the stats and compare them:
http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/...1=3748&tid2=11&pid2=1488&type=A&fid1=S&fid2=S

I'd take two dozen Blicavs over a single Franklin if i had $12 million to spend on a team.
The upswing is much greater. The future much longer.
Do the math. Good recruiting wins games, not good publicity.

 

[HappyChappy35]

Averaging eleven disposals, eleven hitouts, three tackles and just under two clearances a game, yet apparently he's just about the most valuable commodity we have according to some of the posts on here.

Just as a matter of interest a bloke named West (or the forgotten man) averages ten disposals, twenty two hitouts, one tackle and just under two clearances a game, don't see a heck of a lot of difference there myself.

Agree Blitz has been a great story, but a little perspective wouldn't go astray, he ain't the bloke that's going to lead us to the promised land, more like a promising young player who IMO is not even guaranteed a spot come Sepetember.

In terms of this and their impact across the board you're probably correct, but what Blitz has over West in spades is scope for improvement. Despite being a first year player he's already starting to catch a pretty good ruckman with close to 6 years of experience in West, both statistically and in terms of his game. Scary when you think about it.

And although they match up quite evenly H2H in the stats department, you have to take into account that despite being ruckmen, Blitz and West are separate players with largely different attributes from one another. West is better in ruck contests, whereas Blitz is able to contribute around the ground as a utility and burn off his opponents with superior fitness (something West doesn't have).

Just thinking about the ruck situation gives me a headache. Any one of West/Simpson, Simpson/Blicavs, or West/Blicavs makes for a good ruck combination, and trying to decide which one we should primarily use going forward will be a challenge in itself for the club. When (if) McIntosh gets back onto the park then that job becomes even more difficult. Nonetheless, it's a good problem to have.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Just thinking about the ruck situation gives me a headache. Any one of West/Simpson, Simpson/Blicavs, or West/Blicavs makes for a good ruck combination, and trying to decide which one we should primarily use going forward will be a challenge in itself for the club. When (if) McIntosh gets back onto the park then that job becomes even more difficult. Nonetheless, it's a good problem to have.

And don't forget Vardy.

 

[Play it Sam]

Blitz has miles in his runners legs and is incredibly gumby flexible when the ball hits the dirt.
Compared to Dawson chronic injury free and has a tank.
To West, as serviceable as he's been, seems more focused.
Definitely a keeper and the sooner the better.
The only conundrum is, CS seemed to have a huge interest in McIntosh
yet to recover and play so that one is in the lap of the Gods.

 

[vinum coupe]

Stats aren't everything. He adds better defensive pressure and is much harder to match up on. Also uses the ball a lot better than West and is more versatile.

Correct. You know he is worth it when an opposition runner gets it, looks to see who is chasing him and kicks it.

Unless it's Nic Nat, runners dont do that with ruck men

 

[manboob]

11!

Nice to see someone has carried on the mantle of the count!

 

[nohairandfair]

Aghhhhh !!!!!!

oops.

 

[sozza5]

Does anyone know whom or how Blitz was felled behind the ball against the Hawks? I saw the vision of him pushing the trainers away but grabbing his head in both hands and dropping to his knees, at which point the director changed cameras..... shocking I know...

On the TV coverage Larkins then reported Blitz on the bench with issues closing his jaw...

Im not playing the we are getting hard done by card yet but I would like to know WTF happened.

And given the both Hunt and Corey issues were swept and the WC dude got the same for an elbow to the head as SJ and Kel got for bumps... I'm smelling a rat....

Go Catters

Southern stand side, punt rd end (roughly the back flank for us) in the second quarter iirc. I was in the AFL members on the forward flank.
There was a stoppage or boundary throw in or a pack of some sort, ball was cleared by us up into the middle of the ground. There were 4 or 5 players remaining in the pack after our clearance, Blitz turned around and was blind-sided with a shirt front by Bailey. Blitz didn't even see it coming and was floored like a tonne of bricks. Looked very crude and pretty high to me (from 50 meters away). Dawson was the only player remaining in the area by this stage (he saw it from CHB, but our other boys had their backs to Blitz and were spreading forward) ran straight in and started roughing up Bailey, but by this time we were attacking deep into our forward line and I don't recall seeing many other players nearby to fly the flag.
A couple of trainers got out to Blitz who looked totally stunned for a couple minutes (was laying on the ground for about a minute), they tried to support him off, but he was pushing them away. He was definitely dazed for 4 or 5 minutes after.
I couldn't believe the toughness and resilience of the bloke after copping such a severe shirtfront behind play (obviously hit high too). I was seriously concerned he might be done for the night, but he only stepped it up another gear to ruck the whole last qtr singlehandedly!
I saw a few of our boys remonstrate with Bailey later on during the match. But I can't believe the incident wasn't looked at by the MRP. Like I said, it was a bloody severe hit.

 

[dazbroncos]

Southern stand side, punt rd end (roughly the back flank for us) in the second quarter iirc. I was in the AFL members on the forward flank.
There was a stoppage or boundary throw in or a pack of some sort, ball was cleared by us up into the middle of the ground. There were 4 or 5 players remaining in the pack after our clearance, Blitz turned around and was blind-sided with a shirt front by Bailey. Blitz didn't even see it coming and was floored like a tonne of bricks. Looked very crude and pretty high to me (from 50 meters away). Dawson was the only player remaining in the area by this stage (he saw it from CHB, but our other boys had their backs to Blitz and were spreading forward) ran straight in and started roughing up Bailey, but by this time we were attacking deep into our forward line and I don't recall seeing many other players nearby to fly the flag.
A couple of trainers got out to Blitz who looked totally stunned for a couple minutes (was laying on the ground for about a minute), they tried to support him off, but he was pushing them away. He was definitely dazed for 4 or 5 minutes after.
I couldn't believe the toughness and resilience of the bloke after copping such a severe shirtfront behind play (obviously hit high too). I was seriously concerned he might be done for the night, but he only stepped it up another gear to ruck the whole last qtr singlehandedly!
I saw a few of our boys remonstrate with Bailey later on during the match. But I can't believe the incident wasn't looked at by the MRP. Like I said, it was a bloody severe hit.

Thanks for that... awesome report....Sad that MRP did nothing.... but not surprising...

Go Catters

 

[FredLeDeux]

Southern stand side, punt rd end (roughly the back flank for us) in the second quarter iirc. I was in the AFL members on the forward flank.
There was a stoppage or boundary throw in or a pack of some sort, ball was cleared by us up into the middle of the ground. There were 4 or 5 players remaining in the pack after our clearance, Blitz turned around and was blind-sided with a shirt front by Bailey. Blitz didn't even see it coming and was floored like a tonne of bricks. Looked very crude and pretty high to me (from 50 meters away). Dawson was the only player remaining in the area by this stage (he saw it from CHB, but our other boys had their backs to Blitz and were spreading forward) ran straight in and started roughing up Bailey, but by this time we were attacking deep into our forward line and I don't recall seeing many other players nearby to fly the flag.
A couple of trainers got out to Blitz who looked totally stunned for a couple minutes (was laying on the ground for about a minute), they tried to support him off, but he was pushing them away. He was definitely dazed for 4 or 5 minutes after.
I couldn't believe the toughness and resilience of the bloke after copping such a severe shirtfront behind play (obviously hit high too). I was seriously concerned he might be done for the night, but he only stepped it up another gear to ruck the whole last qtr singlehandedly!
I saw a few of our boys remonstrate with Bailey later on during the match. But I can't believe the incident wasn't looked at by the MRP. Like I said, it was a bloody severe hit.

Thanks very much mate, been driving me crazy not knowing what happened ever since Larkins said they were checking his jaw following an incident behind play.

 

[Partridge]

Yes, as some of us have said, a 198 cm utility who can run better than a mid; just happens to be 2nd ruck because we needed that, and because he can.
Massive understatement, but I'll match it with an overstatement or 2. Nearly FIRST PLAYER PICKED. Position to be determined as needed.

If nearly means "behind 19 other players", then yes I agree.

 

[Partridge]

Stats aren't everything. He adds better defensive pressure and is much harder to match up on. Also uses the ball a lot better than West and is more versatile.

Except for winning more hitouts, which is kind of useful for a ruckman.

 

[thegerman]

Thanks very much mate, been driving me crazy not knowing what happened ever since Larkins said they were checking his jaw following an incident behind play.

Then there is the lotto of the MRP.

 

[cats_09]

Good article on Blitz on the Cats website. Found this part the most insightful:

When asked who he models himself off on the football field, Blicavs admitted there isn’t necessarily one footballer he focuses on.
“Harry Taylor is my mentor at the club so I do quite a bit of work with him, going through edits.
“I try and take the strengths out of Harry’s game and that’s obviously his marking, he reads the play so well.”
While there is still room for improvement in order for Blicavs to stay in the Cats’ best 22, he is currently turning his focus to getting his basic skills up to AFL standard.
“I’m working quite hard on my marking and contested marks.
“I’m slowly getting into better positions but I’m not hanging onto as many as I’d like to.
Blicavs said his running form has lessened after putting on 18 kilos since arriving at the club mid-way through last year.
“My running has diminished quite a bit since my running days but I’ve got that natural base fitness that will always be there.
“During bye week and pre-season the fitness staff have said they still want me to maintain my running base so that remains a strength during games as well.”

Could he have a better mentor at the club than Harry? Be great to see that mentoring role continue over the next few years as Blitz continues to grow & improve as a player.
I was surprised to read it was 18kgs he has put on over the past 12 months, obviously he had a more mature body than what new draftees do, but he doesn't seem to have struggled with that side of things. While he says his running has lessened since prior to the weight gain, it shows how massive his tank must have been because he seems to run with ease towards the end of matches (or at least easier than what other are).

http://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/2013-07-18/cats-found-blicavs-a-new-dream.workstation

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Its interesting with Blitz, have been carefully watching his ruckwork and it seems to be in last quarter's where his tap work starts to get on top of opposition.....he has a great spring and although undersized, seems to know how to time leap and importantly palm down well. At a guess you would say this would be strategy as he obviously has fitness and leap to really dominate late in games. In a combination with Dawson, this could be almost perfect.

On evidence at hand, he is our most useful second ruck option.

 

[Generalissimo]

Everyone talks about his elite fitness and his ability to absorb footy knowledge like a sponge. Today, particularly in the last quarter, he showed something that cannot be learned or acquired, that he is a "big moment" player. He got a non-trivial set shot and sloted it as cools as you please, and later took a huge courageous mark on the wing. That's the kind of gutsiness, dragging your own play up another level and pulling the team with you, that Selwood was doing in the last quarter. He and Blicavs were the only two; OK Simpson too to some extent.

 

[cats_09]

Everyone talks about his elite fitness and his ability to absorb footy knowledge like a sponge. Today, particularly in the last quarter, he showed something that cannot be learned or acquired, that he is a "big moment" player. He got a non-trivial set shot and sloted it as cools as you please, and later took a huge courageous mark on the wing. That's the kind of gutsiness, dragging your own play up another level and pulling the team with you, that Selwood was doing in the last quarter. He and Blicavs were the only two; OK Simpson too to some extent.

Unless he breaks down with injury I don't see how he gets dropped from the team. Not saying that everything he does is perfect or that he is in the best 5 every week, he does make mistakes but he doesn't let them get him down, he doesn't drop his head and he gets on with the game.
That mark he took on the win was great, I don't think there was too much wrong with his kick either - I know it was marked uncontested by Adelaide, but I looked at that as being more an error by the Geelong players at the drop of the ball who didn't go for the mark than actually a poor kick by Blicavs.

 

[Generalissimo]

Unless he breaks down with injury I don't see how he gets dropped from the team.

I suspect he'll get a week of "management" just prior to the finals, for his own freshness and because Chris Scott will want to look at the Simpson/West ruck combo at some stage.

 

[cats_09]

I suspect he'll get a week of "management" just prior to the finals, for his own freshness and because Chris Scott will want to look at the Simpson/West ruck combo at some stage.

I was meaning on a permanent basis where he gets dropped to the VFL & actually replaced in the seniors - i can see him get a week break for management issues, but nothing else at this stage.

 

[CF]

We all need to remember he has only played 16 games of AFL and before that not much footy at all. So there will be times he makes a few blues as he is still just learning the game. Considering all that I think he is going beautifully and really battled hard out there today against Adelaide and had few good moments and few he'd like to forget. In a few years time he could be one of our star KP players.

 

[footscore]

I agree with you guys, he's almost cemented his spot for me, just seems to keep improving almost every single week.
He took a Carey-esque mark today, ran into the oncoming contest and plucked it!

I don't agree with other posters who say he's a liability in ruck because he's not a ruckman but is still able enough to manage 5-8 minutes while Simpson gets much needed rest.
He's very much a...ummm, well, he's a very tall midfielder/winger/forward/ruck and this is something very unique in the competition and we are benefiting from it thus far.

 

[Senatorguesty]

I agree with you guys, he's almost cemented his spot for me, just seems to keep improving almost every single week.
He took a Carey-esque mark today, ran into the oncoming contest and plucked it!

I don't agree with other posters who say he's a liability in ruck because he's not a ruckman but is still able enough to manage 5-8 minutes while Simpson gets much needed rest.
He's very much a...ummm, well, he's a very tall midfielder/winger/forward/ruck and this is something very unique in the competition and we are benefiting from it thus far.

Thats the key.
If Simpson can ruck for 85-90% of the game then Blicavs is the perfect foil for him.
If Simpson can only ruck 55-60% then we need West or Vardy.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Would trade to Gold Coast/Carlton farkin whoever for a tasty draft pick right now.

Mitigation: Christ Scott (AND Co.!) could have settled him into a definitive KD role by now, but still chose to chop and change with the tall running-dude.

Sell him to Gold Coast for a tasty draft pick right now.

 

[Turbocat]

Would trade to Gold Coast/Carlton farkin whoever for a tasty draft pick right now.

Mitigation: Christ Scott (AND Co.!) could have settled him into a definitive KD role by now, but still chose to chop and change with the tall running-dude.

Sell him to Gold Coast for a tasty draft pick right now.

We ask too much of limited players.... he should be keep away from the goals unless he is willing to work on it.. said to the mrs .. awful setshot just watch.. and sure enough. ..but to be fair on him... why would he spend hours and hours on it when he is told your are our next Lonergan. He has been Mr Windex for far too long..

 

[Raabs]

We ask too much of limited players.... he should be keep away from the goals unless he is willing to work on it.. said to the mrs .. awful setshot just watch.. and sure enough. ..but to be fair on him... why would he spend hours and hours on it when he is told your are our next Lonergan. He has been Mr Windex for far too long..

Has to play FB for the entirety of next year.

Sick of seeing this team every year so unsettled at the business end of season.

While it's the player's jobs to perform, it's up to the coaches to prepare the team.