Geelong Cats vice-captain Mark Blicavs apologises for breaching COVID-19 rules with wild party

A remorseful Mark Blicavs has apologised for flouting COVID-19 advice by hosting a boozy party amid the AFL's coronavirus shutdown. 

Mark Blicavs has issued an apology for hosting a wild party which went against COVID-19 advice. 

The Geelong Football Club and a State Government minister criticised the Cats vice-captain 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.

Blicavs issued an apology on via Twitter on Thursday evening after saying on Tuesday: “We just had a couple of drinks here it was all good."

He tweeted: I want to apologise for my actions on Sunday night. This is a huge issue confronting all of us at the moment and one I did not take as serious as I should be taking.

"I made a mistake and the best thing I can do is learn from it. The worst thing I can do is make the same mistake. I plan to learn from this! Stay safe and love to everyone doing it far tougher than I am."

1/2 I want to apologise for my actions on Sunday night. This is a huge issue confronting all of us at the moment and one I did not take as serious as I should be taking.

— Mark Blicavs (@MarkBlicavs) March 26, 2020

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”.

Mark Blicavs of the Cats reacts at full time during the Round 1 AFL match between the GWS Giants and Geelong Cats at Giants Stadium in Sydney, Friday, March 21, 2020. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

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 “peoples 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.

“It is imperative that all directions outlined by the government and medical experts are adhered to.

“While we are disappointed that this has happened, we hope the fact this is now public will again highlight just how important it is to follow these directions.”

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.

“At 4 o’clock (in the morning) they obviously decided they’d had enough.

“They’ve had parties before but are usually quite respectful and will shut it down at midnight.

“But this time they took the party inside and turned the music up, you could hear the vibrations.”

“Everyone was told not to have social gatherings and they’ve gone and had a social gathering until 4am; it’s just rude.”

Victoria Police Minister Lisa Neville addresses the media at the State Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne, Monday, March 23, 2020. (AAP Image/James Ross)

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Originally published as Geelong Cats vice-captain Mark Blicavs apologises for breaching COVID-19 rules with wild party