CAT’S WILD PARTY FURY
’PEOPLE’S LIVES AT RISK’ Police called as Blicavs flouts virus measures Club disappointed at ‘inappropriate’ bash
THE Geelong Cats and a state government minister have criticised vice-captain Mark Blicavs after he hosted a rowdy party at his home, flouting social distancing regulations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Police were called to the boozy party that stretched past 3am on Monday and came hours after the AFL season was suspended for two months on Sunday.
THE Geelong Football Club and a state government minister have criticised vice-captain Mark Blicavs (pictured) after he hosted a rowdy party at his home, flouting social distancing regulations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Police were called to the boozy party that stretched past 3am on Monday morning and came hours after the AFL season was suspended for two months on Sunday.
A resident who lives near Blicavs’ Geelong West home said beer cans and ping pong balls were found in a nearby backyard on Monday morning.
The Geelong Advertiser understands another member of the Cats leadership group was present at the gathering.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the shutdown of bars and pubs on Monday was not an invitation for people to “have all your mates around to home and get on the beers”.
The Premier cited a recent dinner party of about a dozen where one person who unknowingly had COVID-19 transferred the virus to multiple attendees.
Senior state government minister Lisa Neville criticised Blicavs’s actions, saying having a beer with mates was “dangerous” amid coronavirus and put “people’s lives at risk”.
"If people don’t listen to the advice of the medical experts, if people don’t stop being selfish, if people don’t start complying with their duties as Victorians, as Australians, then people will die.”
A Geelong Football Club spokeswoman said the gathering was “inappropriate”.
“The club reiterated to players and staff the need to adhere to guidelines put forward around social distancing and the need to be leaders in our community,” the spokeswoman said.
“While we are disappointed that this has happened, we hope the fact this it is now public will again highlight just how important it is to follow these directions.”
Yesterday, Blicavs played down the extent of the party when questioned. “We just had a couple of drinks here, it was all good,” he said.
A neighbour said the group became agitated when police arrived at the home on Monday morning and resumed blaring music almost immediately after they left.
A resident who lives in the area said Blicavs had not apologised. “It was like they were in our backyard they were so loud. The language was absolutely disgusting. We gave them until midnight and called the cops twice.”