Mark Blicavs taps the ball over Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs. Picture:Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun
Geelong thrash a flat Adelaide outfit by 63 points in their NAB Cup clash at Simonds Stadium.
HE'S played just six games since under-14s but Mark Blicavs has emerged as a wildcard to be Geelong's starting ruckman in Round 1.
The former steeplechaser, who had dreams of representing Australia before giving up his running career last year, more than held his own against Adelaide's Sam Jacobs in yesterday's NAB Cup game to put his hand up for the season-opener.
All of Geelong's senior-listed ruckmen are on the injury list - Trent West (knee), Dawson Simpson (back), Hamish McIntosh (knee), Nathan Vardy (groin) - which means Blicavs and fellow rookie Josh Walker have had to carry the load in the pre-season.
Blicavs, 21, joined the Cats midway through last year and played four VFL games - the first time he'd pulled on the boots since representing Taylors Lakes in the under-14s.
When asked if he was ready to carry the ruck load against Hawthorn in Round 1, he said: "Hypothetically if that happened, I versed (Aaron) Sandilands two weeks ago and Jacobs who are two of the best ruckmen in the league in my eyes.
"It can't be anymore daunting than that so I'll just take it as it comes . . . . against the Hawks would be pretty exciting I guess."
Assistant coach Blake Caracella said Blicavs' improvement over the summer had surprised everyone.
"His rate of improvement has been remarkable," Caracella said. "He's obviously an outstanding athlete, his spring is pretty good, he's a fantastic runner but his game sense and knowledge of how to play the game, for someone who hasn't played footy since U/14s is amazing.
"He has somehow managed to learn at a rapid rate and come along heaps. He's certainly going to push for selection come Round 1 or certainly during the season.
"I think (he could handle it). I think his game two weeks ago he jumped over Sandilands at his first centre bounce he took and obviously against a quality ruckman today he rucked quite OK.
"He and Josh Walker add some midfield depth as well because they don't just ruck, they get after the footy as well, they get after the tackles and contested footy as well. It brings certainly a different element to the game.
Blicavs had 14 hit-outs and eight possessions yesterday including an impressive mark and goal in the third quarter.
The new ruck rule which has outlawed scragging at ball-ups certainly helps the rookie whose outstanding leap is his best weapon.
"I'm 198cm and for a ruckman that's not that tall and I'm 96kg so for a ruckman that's tiny so I don't want to be trying to body on Jacobs or anything," Blicavs said. "That one-metre rule does advantage the jumpers who don't want to wrestle.
"I've found moving into the ruck and doing a bit of work in the midfield has helped (over the past two weeks). I guess it has given me a bit more free rein to run a bit and play a bit on instinct.
"I'm just loving it at the moment. It's really good."
Geelong has already placed Simpson on the long-term injury list which means they can elevate a rookie onto the main list for Round 1.
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