Assistant coach Shaun Grigg was full of praise for Mark Blicavs and the multi-dimensional role he played in Geelong’s victory against Melbourne.

The 31-year-old was influential in the middle of the ground for the Cats supporting Rhys Stanley in the ruck and helping restrict the influence of Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca which allowed Geelong’s other midfielders to focus on winning the football.

That’s exactly what they did with Geelong winning both the clearances (54-36) and centre bounces (16-8) which helped propel them towards an important victory.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Christian Petracca of the Demons is challenged by Tom Atkins of the Cats during the AFL First Preliminary Final match between Melbourne Demons and Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium on September 10, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Blicavs had 15 disposals (87% efficiency), 16 hit-outs, seven score involvements, five tackles and three clearances.

“He certainly earnt his paycheck. He is such a unique player. I don’t think there is anyone like him in the AFL to be honest,” assistant coach Shaun Grigg told SEN listener’s post-game.

“Some of the things we ask him to do and some of the things he is willing to do for the team, he is willing to compete against Max Gawn and then Mark will put his hand up to play on Oliver and Petracca which allows (Cam) Guthrie, (Tom) Atkins, (Joel) Selwood and (Patrick) Dangerfield to really hunt the ball.

“So, Mark is a really important team player for us, and he is really valuable for what we want to do.”

Round 17 Showreel

  • 03:52

    Sweet 16 | Round 17

    Geelong banked its seventh win in a row, defeating the reigning premiers Melbourne by 28 points.

    AFL
  • 14:11

    AFL Mini-Match | Round 17

    Extended highlights of the Cats and Demons clash in Round 17 at GMHBA Stadium.

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  • 03:47

    All The Goals | Round 17

    Rewatch all the goals from a great win over the Demons in Retro Round!

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  • 06:00

    Roaming In The Rooms | Round 17

    Zach Tuohy takes the mic around the rooms after the win against Melbourne. Presented by Total Outdoor Media.

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  • 02:17

    Smith Post-Game | Round 17

    We chat with milestone man Isaac Smith after the win against the Dees. Presented by Ford.

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  • 00:56

    Inside The Circle | Round 17

    Tom Atkins takes the GoPro inside the team song after the round 17 win against Melbourne. Presented by Villawood

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  • 11:38

    Scott Post-Game | Round 17

    Hear from coach Chris Scott following Geelong's clash with Melbourne on Thursday night. Presented by Morris.

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  • 06:59

    AFL Highlights | Round 17

    Watch the highlights from Geelong's Round 17 clash with Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night.

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  • 00:38

    Stengle kicks the sealer

    Watch the moment Tyson Stengle sealed the game with a classy snap during the fourth quarter of Geelong's Round 17 clash with Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.

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  • 00:33

    Hawkins brilliantly dances through congestion and snaps through this beauty

    Watch the moment Tom Hawkins danced around the Dees on his way to a special final quarter goal against Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium in Round 17.

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  • 00:45

    Smith celebrates game 250 with trademark goal

    Not the first time we've seen this from Isaac Smith in Game 250. A big Geelong goal in the third quarter.

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  • 00:38

    Holmes with a classy snap

    Watch the moment Max Holmes steps up to kick an important goal during the third quarter of Geelong's Round 17 clash with Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.

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  • 00:34

    Cats claw path home through Close

    Watch the moment Brad Close finishes a brilliant team goal during the second quarter of Geelong's Round 17 clash with Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.

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  • 00:36

    Oh my! Guthrie with a special goal

    Watch the moment Cam Guthrie kicks a spectacular goal during the first quarter of Geelong's Round 17 clash with Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium.

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  • 02:21

    Smith 250th Wellwishes

    Hear from those closest to Isaac Smith in congratulating him for his 250th game. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

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  • 02:08

    Isaac Smith 250th Highlights

    Watch some of the best highlights from Isaac Smith's career ahead of his 250th game.

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  • 15:09

    Chris Scott and Isaac Smith Press Conference | Round 17

    Chris Scott and Isaac Smith speak to the media ahead of Smith's 250th game. Proudly Presented by Morris.

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  • Tuohy Retro Shoot Take Over

    Zach Tuohy gives us a behind the scenes view of this years Retro Round Photoshoot. Presented by Ford

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  • 00:34

    Have You Driven A Ford?

    Retro Round calls for Retro Ford Ad. Presented by Ford

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  • 01:04

    Retro Footy Cards

    Our Players put on the Retro Kit to create this years Retro Round footy cards. Presented by Ford

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Blicavs combined well in the ruck rotating with Rhys Stanley.

Stanley himself gathering 16 hit-outs to go with 13 disposals (10 contested) and six clearances.

“He played well. Rhys has been building all year. He is forming a nice partnership with Blicavs at the moment.”

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Rhys Stanley of the Cats leaps for the ball during the round 17 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Melbourne Demons at GMHBA Stadium on July 07, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Geelong is starting to build some significant ruck depth with former Hawk Jonathon Ceglar making a successful return in the VFL on Friday night.

Ceglar was named in the best after gathering 20 disposals (16 contested), 36 hit-outs, 11 ground ball gets and six clearances.

“We are looking forward to seeing what Jon can do in the next few weeks and we will see where that takes us in the back half of the year, but it would be nice to have some options. Rhys and Mark are doing it well, but we will see what Jon can do also.”