Mark Blicavs has gone from an Olympic hopeful in the steeplechase last year to one of the success stories of the 2013 AFL season.

After a whirlwind 12 months, Blicavs admitted to Krock radio on Sunday that he has well exceeded his pre-season expectations.

“I thought mid-way through pre-season if I could be considered for an AFL game, even just being named an emergency I would be very happy with the season.

“Getting called up for my first game I was rapt, then I thought maybe I could play two or three but yesterday (Round 16) was my 14th game, it’s just blown my expectations out of the water. 

“I’m very very happy with how the season has gone but it’s only halfway through and as a club we’ve got a long way to go so I just want to keep working hard.”

Blicavs knows he is privileged to be part of the club, particularly after taking an alternative route into AFL, the last time he played footy he was 14.

“It’s been fantastic, unbelievable.

“It’s a really hard feeling to explain but even just little milestones like yesterday with Sel’s 150th, he gets chaired off and there’s 22 blokes on the field celebrating what we’ve achieved yesterday for him.

“The way as a whole we go about it is fantastic.

“At the moment I couldn’t ask for anything more, it’s been surreal.”

When asked who he models himself off on the football field, Blicavs admitted there isn’t necessarily one footballer he focuses on.
“Harry Taylor is my mentor at the club so I do quite a bit of work with him, going through edits.

“I try and take the strengths out of Harry’s game and that’s obviously his marking, he reads the play so well.”

While there is still room for improvement in order for Blicavs to stay in the Cats’ best 22, he is currently turning his focus to getting his basic skills up to AFL standard.

“I’m working quite hard on my marking and contested marks.

“I’m slowly getting into better positions but I’m not hanging onto as many as I’d like to.

Blicavs said his running form has lessened after putting on 18 kilos since arriving at the club mid-way through last year.

“My running has diminished quite a bit since my running days but I’ve got that natural base fitness that will always be there.

“During bye week and pre-season the fitness staff have said they still want me to maintain my running base so that remains a strength during games as well.”

After travelling to Europe last year to give his Olympic running dream a real shot, Blicavs says his green and gold aspirations are well and truly finished.

“They are long gone at the moment.

“I’ll leave that up to my sister who can hopefully make a push to the 2016 Olympics with basketball.

“I’ll be leaving that up to her and my focus is now with the Geelong Football Club.”