WHY MARK IS THE AFL’S BEST
GRUNT, DETERMINATION, ENDURANCE, MAKES MARK MY TOP PICK
FORGET Alex Rance. If you want guts, grunt and determination, Mark Blicavs is the man selectors have to pick in this year’s All-Australian team, The Ox writes in his exclusive column.
MARK Blicavs must be considered for All-Australian centre half-back.
Blicavs is having an outstanding year.
He’s had great seasons before — after all, he’s a best and fairest at Geelong — but I think there’s a new string to his bow.
Gee whiz he’s played consistent footy since joining the Cats in 2012.
Last year was the fewest games he’s played in a season, but he managed 20.
Now he has clocked up a total of 129, but it has been his permanent move down back that has enabled his form to develop consistency.
He could well be the fittest centre half-back the league has seen. Endurance wise, it would be hard to beat him. Maybe Melbourne’s Tom McDonald would go close, but probably wouldn’t win.
I’ve said for years that this is his best position.
Now, without saying “I told you so”, well, I told you so.
Playing as a forward it was always hard to play against the defenders with exceptional closing speed and long arms. Blicavs has both. He may not have the footy nous of players you would traditionally say are great centre half-backs, but he has the ability to run all day, then go into the ruck if need be, then just keep running.
The current good centre half-forwards can go with him. Buddy Franklin, Josh Kennedy and Jesse Hogan have all been shadowed this year.
He’s not a massive possession winner. But he does what he’s supposed to. He spoils the ball and brings it to ground.
The most touches he has had is 23, against GWS. In 2015 he averaged 18. As fans and the media sali- vate over Tom Mitchell getting that many in a quarter, I would take Blicavs’s 18 for the match every day of the week.
As the finals race is still exhilarating with three hurdles to jump, clubs need their key position players to stand up.
Even as September approaches, all clubs are looking to next year. If I was at the Cats list management meetings, I’d plonk Blicavs’s magnet smack bang in the centre half- back position on the whiteboard then I’d work out who works best around him.
They have some great talent in the hoops, but there’s no harm in having a chat to some running defenders, those who can take over the flanks, or sit at the drop of the ball.
Alex Rance gets the fanfare because he’s the golden child, but if you want guts and grunt, determination and endurance then pick Blicavs. I would.