Geelong Cats: Mark Blicavs open to playing forward if Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron miss games

Geelong star Mark Blicavs earned an All Australian jacket as a midfielder in 2022, but he may be asked to start the year in a different position.

Geelong Cats training

CATS utility Mark Blicavs says there is a chance he may be swung forward to fill the void of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, should the pair both miss round 1.

Hawkins is racing the clock to be fit for the season opener against Collingwood at the MCG on Friday, while Cameron has remained firm that he would miss any match that clashed with the birth of his first child.

Blicavs, who made a name for himself at full back before winning an All Australian jacket in 2022 as a midfielder, said he could be asked to play forward.

“I’m sure they (the coaching staff) have those contingency plans throughout this week, next week, the week after with Jez, with Hawk, whoever it may be,” he said.

“I’ll be pretty fluid with my role, and it’ll change from game-to-game and week-to-week, so I’ll do a bit of work with the backs, do a bit of work with the midfield and pushing forward, so if I get thrown into those positions I’ll be comfortable.

Mark Blicavs may play up forward at stages in 2023.

“They’ll let me know with plenty of time if I’m starting forward so I can have a training session.”

Blicavs averaged 17.7 disposals and 14.6 hit outs per game in 2022, as well as five tackles and 3.4 clearances in his 24 games last season.

Moving from a key defensive post in previous seasons, Blicavs started most games on the wing before pushing into the midfield and playing as the ruck while Rhys Stanley drifted into defence.

Blicavs said he would likely play the majority of the season in the midfield, but he would be open to playing in a variety of roles throughout the year with new recruits Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes likely to spend time in the centre square.

Jeremy Cameron could miss an early-season game. Picture: Kelly Defina

“The plan is probably a bit around the ball, I’m really enjoying that, I did that for the majority of last season in the midfield, wing, ruck, whatever-it-is role,” he said.

“But every year I’ve played the plans have changed pretty quickly depending on how the game’s going and what have you.”

“They’re (Bruhn and Bowes) great lads and they’ve had great preseasons, I think they’re really enjoying their time here, they’ve fitted in really well.

“Both bring different strengths and attributes and hopefully what we want them to do is complement our team which we think they can do.”

Originally published as Geelong Cats: Mark Blicavs open to playing forward if Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron miss games