IT is news that will be music to Geelong fans’ ears everywhere: Mark Blicavs will make what is planned to be a permanent move into defence in 2021.
It has been speculated over this shortened pre-season that the two-time Carji Greeves medallist, who spent the majority of last year on a wing or in the ruck, would fill the void created by the retirement of Harry Taylor.
On Thursday, Blicavs confirmed he would be returning to the backline.
“I’m training in the backline, playing a lot of defence, and enjoying it down there,” he said.
“We’re throwing up different scenarios as well for different looks during the year.
“The plan last year was to play back for the majority of the year, and injuries happened and the team shifts.
“You always keep prepared to play anywhere – wing and ruck, as well – but at the moment I’m enjoying playing down back.”
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Blicavs says the addition of Isaac Smith from Hawthorn and former North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs star Shaun Higgins will provide the Cats with more running capacity, making it less likely he’ll be needed up the field.
“I think it’ll be a really good challenge,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ve learnt a bit over the years from Harry and the way he would prep for those big key forwards.
“I’d probably look to do similar things.
“Looking at the first couple of rounds ‘Tex’ (Taylor) Walker is one of them early in Adelaide.
“So, you definitely do your homework, and train like you’re going to play on them and go from there.”
Entering his ninth season, the 29-year-old (he turns 30 on March 29) is enjoying the more compact lead-in to Round 1 against Adelaide on March 20.
“We didn’t start back until early Jan, so, hopefully, you feel fresher coming into the later part of the season, which is good,” he said.
“It’s been good. The whole team’s moving pretty well, and everyone’s getting through their own individual programs to be prepared for Round 1.
“We’ve got a couple of scrimmages, a praccy match against Essendon to look forward to before the real stuff happens.
Twitter: @tom_king79
