Mark Blicavs played a vital role in quelling the influence of Essendon’s midfield, playing a versatile role on Saturday night, playing in the ruck, midfield and sometimes up forward.  

The versatile Cat collected 15 disposals, six tackles and four clearances while also hitting the scoreboard with the first goal of the second half to kickstart Geelong’s second half surge.  
 
Using a combination of Sam De Koning and Blicavs in the ruck, the pair were damaging with the ability to break away from stoppages, helping the Cats to win clearances throughout the night.  
 
Blicavs spoke with SEN post-match and noted the changes that were made at half time, which helped the Cats turn the game in the third quarter.   

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Mark Blicavs Interview | Post Game

Mark Blicavs spoke after Geelong's tough win against the Bombers in the Country Game at the 'G. Proudly Presented by Ford Australia.

 
“I thought in that second quarter Essendon's pressure was elite, they kept it in their forward half, and they made us defend for long periods which fatigued us. 
 
“We were able to change that in the third quarter, the toughness of the boys inside to hold onto the ball and then the support from behind to get handball receives and get it forward. 
 
“I felt like we were able to wear the Bombers down to get a bit of a gap.  
 
“In the third quarter we were able to use the ball a bit better and hang onto it, making them defend like they did to us in the second quarter.
  
“We were able to be more efficient going inside forward 50 with deeper entries which is nice.”  

One major shift after half time was the way the Cats defenders were able to lock down Essendon’s forwards, while also rebounding and launching the ball into attack.  
 
Geelong scored 43 points from their defensive half after the main break, while managing to kick goals from 32% of their forward 50 entries.  
 
Blicavs credited the defensive unit for helping to flip momentum, stifling the Bombers forward line and helping to push the Cats to an important win.  
 
“They are fantastic back there, they are no fuss characters.
  
“You give them the best forwards in the game every week, they are so happy to play their role.  
 
“They are really reliable, I think especially guys like Jake Kolodjashnij and Jack Henry, they have had great seasons so far and hopefully there is more to come.  
 
“We just wanted to keep defending well, getting the ball off them as quick as we can.”