Blicavs facing period on the sidelines
GEELONG utility Mark Blicavs faces time on the sidelines after suffering a suspected crack in his lower right leg in Friday night’s loss to Adelaide.
The 2015 Carji Greeves medallist limped off the ground in the arms of trainers in the third quarter after his leg was caught in a tackle by Rory Sloane.
Blicavs played no further part in the game and was seen at Simonds Stadium on crutches and in a moon boot at the Cats’ VFL match on Saturday.
With a six-day break between this Saturday’s match against Carlton and the following Friday night match against Sydney, it seems unlikely Blicavs will return in the next fortnight.
The Cats are expected to know more about the severity of his injury after further assessment of the leg today.
The Cats did not return calls from the Geelong Advertiser yesterday before deadline.
Blicavs has had an incredibly injury-free run since making his debut in Round 1, 2013.
The 26-year-old has played 106 of a possible 111 games since his career began, including back-to-back seasons in 2015 and 2016 where he didn’t miss a game.
Meanwhile, Irishman Mark O’Connor is also no closer to a return from an ankle injury suffered on June 25 against North Ballarat.
The wingman won’t play next week and is hoping to return through the VFL in a fortnight, but his recovery has been slower than first hoped.
Andrew Mackie (wrist and illness) and Jordan Cunico (ankle) should be declared available for selection against Carlton, however the club will take no risks with youngster Nakia Cockatoo, who continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.