There will be a sense of déjà vu for Mark Blicavs when he lines up against the Hawks at the MCG on Sunday to play his 150th game.
Blicavs’ AFL journey began against the Hawks back in round one of 2013. On that occasion the Cats recorded a seven-point win and Blicavs will be hoping for similar result on Sunday.
“It has been an amazing 149 games and I have loved it,” Blicavs said.
“My debut game was against Hawthorn so it’s pretty special and I am very happy it’s in Melbourne so my friends and family can get down there against the Hawks, where it’s always a great game and I am very much looking forward to it.”
Mark Blicavs celebrates a win on debut with teammates.
Few would have predicted the impact the former middle-distance runner would have in his first seven seasons at the club. A two-time Carji Greeves Medallist, Blicavs has been used in all parts of the ground and developed into one of Geelong’s most important players.
The 28-year-old is the ultimate team man. In 2018 he overtook Harry Taylor’s record for the most one-percenters in a season with 170.
Despite his individual success, Blicavs' main goal of winning a premiership is very much something he is working hard to achieve.
“That would be unbelievable, that is the ultimate and why I’m playing footy,” he said.
“I would love to see Harry and Joel get another one, and Danger get his first, so that’s something I am working to and that is the goal for sure by the end of my career.”
Mark Blicavs with teammates Tim Kelly and Patrick Dangerfield at the 2018 Brownlow Medal.
That goal would appear to be in sight with the Cats sitting two games clear on top of the ladder after 17 rounds. But despite Geelong’s strong season to date, Blicavs' focus is very much on the present and on improving each week.
“It is a fun place to be - We have got some great guys there, so I think everyone is enjoying their football and it is showing on field,” he said.
“I just try to control what I can personally and what the team can control so that is trying to get better each day and improve on the training track and if we can do that as a team and keep stringing wins along, I think we are going to put ourselves in a good position come finals time but there is plenty of work left to go.”
Sunday’s match against the Hawks is expected to attract more than 50,000 fans and the versatile Cat is expecting a tough challenge.
“I think they are moving the ball really well and are physical around the contest, they have been winning that and getting it forward so it will be tough.”
“They are always good opposition; it doesn’t matter where we are on the ladder the games are always there.”
“At the G, there will be 50,000 to 60,000 plus there so you get right up for them, so we are going to have to do our homework and prep for them really well because it is going to be a tough game.”
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The first bounce on Sunday will be at 1.10pm.
