Toast Mark Blicavs

[thegerman]

The thing that most people miss is that he was an athlete that was in the selection picture for the Olympics; far above and beyond what AFL players could even hope for in terms of fitness and determination. To get to that level; intense focus and belief.

So when some questioned his abilities early on, you only had to look at his interviews and how he changed on the field to his exceptional ability to take in what the coaches want of him and secondly, to what he wants for himself. His upside is out of this world.

Last night we were getting comprehensively beaten in the middle, it didn't really matter who was rucking at that stage. But in the third something changed, West went for a break, then instead of losing every tap, we started to win taps and breaks from the middle. Blitz was gaining advantage, perhaps after feeling his way a bit.

I agree with some of the other posters, he just doesn't give up either. The was one point where Goddard took a handball in the pocket and thought he could just waltz around Blitz, but he was well held in the position and had to get the ball to another team-mate under pressure as Blitz had his number.

 

[oozeboss]

Blitz is the ultimate mismatch from hell for our opponents. He's too fast and has too massive a tank for players of a comparable height to stay with him, and is far too tall (and with very wide wings) for any player who isn't his size to compete against. He's not a ruckman per se, but is developing at a great rate of knots into a highly unique utility player. Sort of a Robo-ute.

That he's now bobbing up everywhere at games bar serving at the fast food queues completely nukes opposition match-ups, and it's becoming clear that his confidence in his abilities and his team mates' coinfidence in same is growing exponentially each and every game. His intelligence and application are top shelf, and I think what he brings to games is so unique that it now has him comfortably inside our best 22.

The frightening thing is that this is just the beginning. He's going to tear the AFL apart in years to come, but even now he's become one very big fly in the ointment for every opposition coach to lose sleep over.

I am excited.

 

[dazbroncos]

The thing that most people miss is that he was an athlete that was in the selection picture for the Olympics; far above and beyond what AFL players could even hope for in terms of fitness and determination. To get to that level; intense focus and belief.

So when some questioned his abilities early on, you only had to look at his interviews and how he changed on the field to his exceptional ability to take in what the coaches want of him and secondly, to what he wants for himself. His upside is out of this world.

Last night we were getting comprehensively beaten in the middle, it didn't really matter who was rucking at that stage. But in the third something changed, West went for a break, then instead of losing every tap, we started to win taps and breaks from the middle. Blitz was gaining advantage, perhaps after feeling his way a bit.

I agree with some of the other posters, he just doesn't give up either. The was one point where Goddard took a handball in the pocket and thought he could just waltz around Blitz, but he was well held in the position and had to get the ball to another team-mate under pressure as Blitz had his number.

This is so true. He might not me the most skilled player after 7 AFL games, but you cant teach desire and commitment. He caertainly has that in spades. He keeps going and doesn't let the bad moment dwell.

He realises that he is there for need right now and that need will go away as some point. Thing is, he is playing every moment on ots merits and knows that his time over the next 10 years could redefine the position a lot. I think he is looking big picture but playing ech moment like it is his last. Great asset for the club. And im sure it doesnt hurt that after athletics for 10 years and getting paid very little he is now playing here and making much more...


Go Catters

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

Give him another 1 year development and I think we will be pleasantly suprised

 

[FredLeDeux]

Blitz is the ultimate mismatch from hell for our opponents. He's too fast and has too massive a tank for players of a comparable height to stay with him, and is far too tall (and with very wide wings) for any player who isn't his size to compete against. He's not a ruckman per se, but is developing at a great rate of knots into a highly unique utility player. Sort of a Robo-ute.

That he's now bobbing up everywhere at games bar serving at the fast food queues completely nukes opposition match-ups, and it's becoming clear that his confidence in his abilities and his team mates' coinfidence in same is growing exponentially each and every game. His intelligence and application are top shelf, and I think what he brings to games is so unique that it now has him comfortably inside our best 22.

The frightening thing is that this is just the beginning. He's going to tear the AFL apart in years to come, but even now he's become one very big fly in the ointment for every opposition coach to lose sleep over.

I am excited.

That's two huge calls - not only that he's in our best 22, but that he's comfortably ensconced in it.
Particularly given that this week is the first time he's even arguably performed in our best 15 in a game, and that with 12 or 13 of our best 30 missing.

 

[Geelong_Gen]

He move like Jaguar yes he moves like Jaguar yes he mmmmmooooovvvvvvesss like jaguar!

 

[oozeboss]

Fred: I'm basing that call not so much on what he does for us as what he does to the opposition, even without touching the ball. There were a few times in Friday's game where he would flash across the background of the screen, on both offensive and defensive transition, and the opponent he'd burnt off would be trailing miles behind him, screaming insanely and drawing players forward of the ball off to cover him.

By breaking up opposing match-ups and formations he becomes an enormous agent of chaos for us, as opposition panic caused by the need to suddenly switch off to cover him creates massive holes for our more skilled players to exploit. Add his increasing direct impact on games, and he is both incredibly valuable now in terms of team dynamics nd structures, and increasing significantly in value exponentially with every game.

With him now becoming a goal scoring threat in his own right (and that glorious 50m effort has completely changed his status in opposition thought patterns about how to play him), he simply becomes one element of our transition which can now neither be ignored nor covered in a foot race. He is a completely ground breaking recruit in the AFL, and the Gordian knot he creates in opposition team plans is a massive advantage for us.

I don't think of him as a ruckman. His position, as far as I'm concerned, is Enigma. He is that agent of chaos I alluded to early, putting a challenge to opposition game planners that they've never faced before. I believe that is how Scotty sees it too, and his deployment of the Blitz has been a master class in strategy.

And the best bit - for us - is that he's only going to get better, every single time he plays.

 

[Turbocat]

The frightening thing is that this is just the beginning. He's going to tear the AFL apart in years to come, but even now he's become one very big fly in the ointment for every opposition coach to lose sleep over.

Tear the comp apart. gee thats confident. If he can become like Jimmy Stynes he will become a Brownlow medalist yet Im not sure stynes was that type of player. At least to my mind. No Magic Majak , he looks like he could do just that. The awesome power in the guy , he would make a defender pull a hammy after trying for a quarter to stop him.

He needs to continue to build his repertoire of skills. He made another jump the other night. Marking and leading. He can get stronger but I think he will never be a tank. He must work on his sprint speed and his marking strength. If he is to play in a non-ruck role he has a way to go. I will say this we are in the Undiscovered Country , I have no idea where his top is or could be. I suspect a repeat effort HF player who could flow deep and block up space then run forward , might be his role.Like Riewoldt. He would simply break defenders. He could do that while Hmac is in the ruck , Vardy is a permeant forward and West is sitting on the pine , if in the side at all. We would be a freaky tall side while still be quick.

 

[vealesy]

Fred: I'm basing that call not so much on what he does for us as what he does to the opposition, even without touching the ball. There were a few times in Friday's game where he would flash across the background of the screen, on both offensive and defensive transition, and the opponent he'd burnt off would be trailing miles behind him, screaming insanely and drawing players forward of the ball off to cover him.

By breaking up opposing match-ups and formations he becomes an enormous agent of chaos for us, as opposition panic caused by the need to suddenly switch off to cover him creates massive holes for our more skilled players to exploit. Add his increasing direct impact on games, and he is both incredibly valuable now in terms of team dynamics nd structures, and increasing significantly in value exponentially with every game.

With him now becoming a goal scoring threat in his own right (and that glorious 50m effort has completely changed his status in opposition thought patterns about how to play him), he simply becomes one element of our transition which can now neither be ignored nor covered in a foot race. He is a completely ground breaking recruit in the AFL, and the Gordian knot he creates in opposition team plans is a massive advantage for us.

I don't think of him as a ruckman. His position, as far as I'm concerned, is Enigma. He is that agent of chaos I alluded to early, putting a challenge to opposition game planners that they've never faced before. I believe that is how Scotty sees it too, and his deployment of the Blitz has been a master class in strategy.

And the best bit - for us - is that he's only going to get better, every single time he plays.

Post of the year nominations open yet?

This cant be stressed enough. The ground he covers at pace is phenomenal. Everyone needs to watch this guy run from the back flank when off the play. He is the missing link for covering the outside wing. Just have him in the ruck when we have no stock ruckmen left to learn the contested game.

When the rucks are back, he can run out wide all day. Exciting prospect. I predict best 18 by seasons end.

 

[David the Cat]

Oozeboss with the quote of the week....Blitz...."Agent of chaos"...love it

 

[flatcat]

This is so true. He might not me the most skilled player after 7 AFL games, but you cant teach desire and commitment. He caertainly has that in spades. He keeps going and doesn't let the bad moment dwell.

He realises that he is there for need right now and that need will go away as some point. Thing is, he is playing every moment on ots merits and knows that his time over the next 10 years could redefine the position a lot. I think he is looking big picture but playing ech moment like it is his last. Great asset for the club. And im sure it doesnt hurt that after athletics for 10 years and getting paid very little he is now playing here and making much more...


Go Catters

Parents both represented Aus in basketball. A commentator said his mum was about best player in the country at one stage. Other than the genetics, he's probably learned some good lessons/habits from mum and dad.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Fred: I'm basing that call not so much on what he does for us as what he does to the opposition, even without touching the ball. There were a few times in Friday's game where he would flash across the background of the screen, on both offensive and defensive transition, and the opponent he'd burnt off would be trailing miles behind him, screaming insanely and drawing players forward of the ball off to cover him.

By breaking up opposing match-ups and formations he becomes an enormous agent of chaos for us, as opposition panic caused by the need to suddenly switch off to cover him creates massive holes for our more skilled players to exploit. Add his increasing direct impact on games, and he is both incredibly valuable now in terms of team dynamics nd structures, and increasing significantly in value exponentially with every game.

With him now becoming a goal scoring threat in his own right (and that glorious 50m effort has completely changed his status in opposition thought patterns about how to play him), he simply becomes one element of our transition which can now neither be ignored nor covered in a foot race. He is a completely ground breaking recruit in the AFL, and the Gordian knot he creates in opposition team plans is a massive advantage for us.

I don't think of him as a ruckman. His position, as far as I'm concerned, is Enigma. He is that agent of chaos I alluded to early, putting a challenge to opposition game planners that they've never faced before. I believe that is how Scotty sees it too, and his deployment of the Blitz has been a master class in strategy.

And the best bit - for us - is that he's only going to get better, every single time he plays.

Very lyrical, very impressive.
I think, first of all, that what he's shown so far is extremely impressive, that he has untold potential. I think that most or all of what you say about him could become true. But it's not true yet.
Friday was easily his best game, and the marking/kicking/goaling was a very welcome and exciting development, but he's yet to reach anywhere near the heights you map out for him and which I hope he reaches.
On Friday he had 12 hitouts, all but one I think in the 2nd half, which is where his team value lies at present - outlasting the other side's 2nd ruckman and double-teaming with West at the stoppages.
Apart from that he only got the ball 7 times - a total matched or bettered by 42 of the other players, the 43rd being Hunt. His touches were more influential than those of some other players, but there were many, many better players than him on both sides.
This is a case where I really do think we need to keep a lid on it.
Even if "He move like Jaguar yes he moves like Jaguar yes he mmmmmooooovvvvvvesss like jaguar!"

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Very lyrical, very impressive.
I think, first of all, that what he's shown so far is extremely impressive, that he has untold potential. I think that most or all of what you say about him could become true. But it's not true yet.
Friday was easily his best game, and the marking/kicking/goaling was a very welcome and exciting development, but he's yet to reach anywhere near the heights you map out for him and which I hope he reaches.
On Friday he had 12 hitouts, all but one I think in the 2nd half, which is where his team value lies at present - outlasting the other side's 2nd ruckman and double-teaming with West at the stoppages.
Apart from that he only got the ball 7 times - a total matched or bettered by 42 of the other players, the 43rd being Hunt. His touches were more influential than those of some other players, but there were many, many better players than him on both sides.
This is a case where I really do think we need to keep a lid on it.
Even if "He move like Jaguar yes he moves like Jaguar yes he mmmmmooooovvvvvvesss like jaguar!"

I'm not saying this to be disrespectful of your opinion, but I'm starting to suspect Geelong no longer gives a shit about stats. I think every week Chris Scott pays lip service to the questions about losing clearances or contested possession counts and trots out the expected "we need to improve" response, but we simply cannot be in the position we're in if these things were really a measure of how well Geelong is playing. I'm not sure what key performance indicators Scott is using to assess the success of the game plan, but then I don't think anyone else in the comp knows, either. We've only got one player in the top 20 for disposals with Stokes at 13 (prior to completion of today's games) and the next best is Selwood at 29. It's not hitouts or touches that Blicavs is ultimately being mandated to acquire, it is that pressure to break the opposition's structure as oozeboss pointed out, he's forcing a player to mind him and they're failing to do it without weakening their own game.

 

[Vdubs]

Give him another 1 year development and I think we will be pleasantly suprised

Aren't you that already?
That suRprises me.

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

He move like Jaguar yes he moves like Jaguar yes he mmmmmooooovvvvvvesss like jaguar!

I'm a little concerned in the fact that I think you're trying to quote "Moves like Jagger"

 

[FredLeDeux]

I'm not saying this to be disrespectful of your opinion, but I'm starting to suspect Geelong no longer gives a shit about stats. I think every week Chris Scott pays lip service to the questions about losing clearances or contested possession counts and trots out the expected "we need to improve" response, but we simply cannot be in the position we're in if these things were really a measure of how well Geelong is playing. I'm not sure what key performance indicators Scott is using to assess the success of the game plan, but then I don't think anyone else in the comp knows, either. We've only got one player in the top 20 for disposals with Stokes at 13 (prior to completion of today's games) and the next best is Selwood at 29. It's not hitouts or touches that Blicavs is ultimately being mandated to acquire, it is that pressure to break the opposition's structure as oozeboss pointed out, he's forcing a player to mind him and they're failing to do it without weakening their own game.

I thoroughly agree with all you say about the standard stats and Scott's responses to questions about them, and the fact that we are clearly concentrating on a different approach, a new game plan.
I think you and oozeboss are also right in general about what Blicavs is being primed to do, but I think it's also apparent from what has happened in the last 2 games that an important part of his role has been to burn off the other side's 2nd ruckman in the 1st half so he can help West in the 2nd half against both of the other side's ruckmen - and at that stage the hitout stats, crude as they are, give some indication of whether it's working.
I don't know what Scott's up to, except that it seems to be working, and it may even be that Blicavs' part is not only essential, but will continue to be so.
I still think, however, that it's a little early to get too carried away about his present standing as an individual player.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

I'm not saying this to be disrespectful of your opinion, but I'm starting to suspect Geelong no longer gives a shit about stats. I think every week Chris Scott pays lip service to the questions about losing clearances or contested possession counts and trots out the expected "we need to improve" response, but we simply cannot be in the position we're in if these things were really a measure of how well Geelong is playing. I'm not sure what key performance indicators Scott is using to assess the success of the game plan, but then I don't think anyone else in the comp knows, either. We've only got one player in the top 20 for disposals with Stokes at 13 (prior to completion of today's games) and the next best is Selwood at 29. It's not hitouts or touches that Blicavs is ultimately being mandated to acquire, it is that pressure to break the opposition's structure as oozeboss pointed out, he's forcing a player to mind him and they're failing to do it without weakening their own game.

Also just to add to this, the only times in recent memory that I've ever heard a coach be secretive about his game plan were both Chris Scott - After the game they had him on the panel at the boundary, and I think it was Bruce who asked him words to the effect of "What did you change to turn around that deficit?" to which Scott replied with words to the effect of "Not telling". Maybe he's foxing, maybe not. But in light of the club's comments about Scott's interview for the job "Scott impressed the working group with his long-term strategy for the direction of the football club and demonstrated leadership in high performance environments. Chris’ values, people management skills and exceptional technical expertise were also qualities that were highlighted during the appointment process.”, and this kind of secrecy that he maintains on the down-low - there's something afoot here.

Edit: I can't find the quote, but I recall Cook saying something about how Scott blew everyone away when they conducted a match day simulation as part of his interview process - something along the lines of 'He was coming up with things that nobody would have even considered before' or similar.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

That's two huge calls - not only that he's in our best 22, but that he's comfortably ensconced in it.
Particularly given that this week is the first time he's even arguably performed in our best 15 in a game, and that with 12 or 13 of our best 30 missing.

Remember 3 games ago (4 games into his AFL football career) he couldn't really take an overhead mark. Now he can. "Quick study" is an understatement for this kid.

That we are even discussing this is unbelievable. I think he is a born footballer. You can see his mind ticking over on the ground. Compare him to Karmichael Hunt who was completely lost for the first year.

To me he isn't in the first 22. He hasn't earned it. But the rate at which is improving, he might be by the season's end.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Also just to add to this, the only times in recent memory that I've ever heard a coach be secretive about his game plan were both Chris Scott - After the game they had him on the panel at the boundary, and I think it was Bruce who asked him words to the effect of "What did you change to turn around that deficit?" to which Scott replied with words to the effect of "Not telling". Maybe he's foxing, maybe not. But in light of the club's comments about Scott's interview for the job "Scott impressed the working group with his long-term strategy for the direction of the football club and demonstrated leadership in high performance environments. Chris’ values, people management skills and exceptional technical expertise were also qualities that were highlighted during the appointment process.”, and this kind of secrecy that he maintains on the down-low - there's something afoot here.

Yeah, noted at the time that I could not remember ever hearing it said so directly before either.
No doubt he knows that the other 17 sides will rumble the new system pretty soon if they haven't already. But that hasn't been the problem with evolutionary game plans in recent years, the trick has been to work out whether your existing system can counter or overcome it and, if not, then to adjust your own game plan to do that - and do it quickly enough to work that same season.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

Yeah, noted at the time that I could not remember ever hearing it said so directly before either.
No doubt he knows that the other 17 sides will rumble the new system pretty soon if they haven't already. But that hasn't been the problem with evolutionary game plans in recent years, the trick has been to work out whether your existing system can counter or overcome it and, if not, then to adjust your own game plan to do that - and do it quickly enough to work that same season.

Which makes me think that perhaps what Scott is doing with the club is not as simple as an "evolutionary game plan", but more a philosophy that flies in the face of the way all clubs approach playing football. Lets face it, statistically Geelong are quite mediocre and this list:

Ranked 1st in Handballs Per Game

Ranked 3rd in Disposals Per Game

Ranked 5th in Marks Per Game

Ranked 3rd in Points Per Game

Ranked 5th in least Opponent Tackles Per Game

Ranked 3rd in Team to Opponent Handballs Per Game Diff.

Ranked 3rd in Team to Opponent Points Per Game Diff.

- does not seem to have any knockout blows that are glaringly obvious or innovative in it, so I am convinced there's more to it.

 

[David the Cat]

I have been saying this for a long time....the advent of Fantasy games has skewed the thinking of football followers who now rely on statistics to measure the merit of teams/individual players.

statistics are just that...fodder for the masses, but provide little else for the coaches...so much happens on a football field that doesnt draw a statistic...things coaches hold dear.

Example? The GPS units on the back of players guernseys aren't there to check stats...

Leave the stats for flubbos like Hodgepodge. He will catch up/on one day.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Which makes me think that perhaps what Scott is doing with the club is not as simple as an "evolutionary game plan", but more a philosophy that flies in the face of the way all clubs approach playing football. Lets face it, statistically Geelong are quite mediocre and this list:

Ranked 1st in Handballs Per Game

Ranked 3rd in Disposals Per Game

Ranked 5th in Marks Per Game

Ranked 3rd in Points Per Game

Ranked 5th in least Opponent Tackles Per Game

Ranked 3rd in Team to Opponent Handballs Per Game Diff.

Ranked 3rd in Team to Opponent Points Per Game Diff.

-does not seem to have any knockout blows that are glaringly obvious or innovative in it, so I am convinced there's more to it.

Not ignoring you, just thinking.

I have been saying this for a long time....the advent of Fantasy games has skewed the thinking of football followers who now rely on statistics to measure the merit of teams/individual players.

statistics are just that...fodder for the masses, but provide little else for the coaches...so much happens on a football field that doesnt draw a statistic...things coaches hold dear.

Example? The GPS units on the back of players guernseys aren't there to check stats...

Leave the stats for flubbos like Hodgepodge. He will catch up/on one day.

You're undoubtedly right about the stats that get fed to us on telecasts, and even in the papers - simplistic fodder for the masses, mere emotionally gratifying noise, as I have also been saying for some time. But coaches have access to a much wider and more complex set, and I have no doubt they use them, I just don't know which or how.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

You can't be anything but impressed with Blicavs. Just exceptional what he has been able to do.....he could well revolutionise the wing given time.

We do need to be slightly reserved though, I still would prefer a geniune second ruckman in the contest and am hanging for Hmac and Vardy (and Simpson for that matter) to become available for senior selection. My opinion is that Blicavs could really benefit from an extended stint in VFL being the main man for awhile so he gets confidence up with making play, taking marks and kicking.....still has a lot to learn, but he just has the right characteristics to be a success, including, most impressively, is his appetitie for the contest.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

You can't be anything but impressed with Blicavs. Just exceptional what he has been able to do.....he could well revolutionise the wing given time.

We do need to be slightly reserved though, I still would prefer a geniune second ruckman in the contest and am hanging for Hmac and Vardy (and Simpson for that matter) to become available for senior selection. My opinion is that Blicavs could really benefit from an extended stint in VFL being the main man for awhile so he gets confidence up with making play, taking marks and kicking.....still has a lot to learn, but he just has the right characteristics to be a success, including, most impressively, is his appetitie for the contest.

I think Scott will keep him in if he continues to do what he's been doing. Big call but I think he's been _that_ impressive to our guys in the box.

 

[cats_09]

I know that at the moment Blicavs currently a 'B rookie' outside the list, but surely based on his first 7 games Geelong would already be talking to him about promoting him to the senior list at seasons end and they have to make a move before it gets to the end of the season which will give other teams get the chance to talk to him and get into his ear about more money, longer deal etc.
He is improving with each game he plays and he will only get better; he has a lot of upside and no doubt the other 17 teams would be taking notice - just don't want to see us get into the same position we were with Mumford where another team was able to come in & trump the offer (no complaints about the addition of Duncan though, is going to be a 10yr player for the Cats).
I know the club is probably currently dealing with a new contract for Taylor & making sure he stays, but I hope they don't just ignore Blicavs until it is too late as I doubt we would be lucky enough to keep him as a rookie next year with no one else putting an offer to him, and with the way he has played so far this year you want the option to pick him in the 22 without the next to promote him first.