Geelong veteran Mark Blicavs says a background in athletics is serving Max Holmes and Shannon Neale well

He’s enjoyed a career few could have expected but Mark Blicavs remains one of Geelong’s most important players. He opens up on being “really fresh” and how his previous sporting life is also aiding the club’s rising stars.

Max Holmes produced a brilliant running goal against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

A background in athletics, forever changing roles and the early support of some Cats legends has helped Geelong veteran Mark Blicavs get to the cusp of a 14th season at Kardinia Park.

Blicavs, 34, who famously came from a middle distance and steeplechase background to be a category B acquisition, put pen to paper on a one-year extension this week.

The super versatile 2022 premiership Cat, who has taken the field in 94 per cent of the club’s matches since his 2013 debut, said it was a “very easy decision” to recommit.

When asked what had helped his longevity, he pointed to the early guidance from James Kelly and Harry Taylor plus a background in athletics — something that had also benefited teammates Max Holmes, Shannon Neale and Oli Wiltshire.

“Max and Shannon, they work so hard on the track and they’ve come from pretty hard events, 400m hurdles and ‘Scratch’ (Neale) was a 400, 800 runner,” Blicavs said.

“You really need to know how to hurt and work hard, you see them in games, the gut running Max does, he’s learned that from his hurdling background. It’s amazing to watch.

Mark Blicavs celebrates a goal against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“I’m coming from a biased athletics background, but if I had kids I’d put them into athletics because I think it teaches you to work hard, it teaches you co-ordination, it teaches you a bit of resilience.

“The running side of things, me doing athletics has really helped from a co-ordination point of view and a resilience point of view.

“So I’ve been really fortunate to not have too many soft tissue injuries ... my body’s been able to stay really fresh.”

His assessments are timely with Neale enjoying something of a breakout match against the Western Bulldogs, with career-highs for disposals, contested possessions, goals and score involvements while Holmes produced a brilliant running goal in a dominant 33-possession performance.

Meanwhile, Ollie Dempsey’s background in basketball has helped with his electric work around the goal square — he would snatch the ball out of the hands of Roos defender Aidan Corr for a goal in Hobart last year.

It’s playing with these next generation stars which has the 290-gamer most excited about the future.

Blicavs said Neale in particular had shown great persistence, and his strong contested grab in the third quarter against the Bulldogs was a sign of his trajectory, plus a tremendous running goal in the final quarter to put the Cats up by a straight kick in a thrilling finish.

Shannon Neale produced arguably his finest game for Geelong so far. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images.

“We’re telling him to use his power and his speed,” he said of Neale’s athletic attributes.

“He’s getting that reward which is great.

“I just love working with all the young guys.

“Connor O’Sullivan is the other one, they’re really good at asking questions, so it’s easy to offer advice.

“(Neale’s) really inquisitive, curious about his game ... I feel like this pre-season he’s really improved ... it’s more his attitude has led to that.”

Blicavs feels like he is now the mentor, passing on the guidance and tutelage he received from the likes of Kelly and Taylor in the early days.

“They’re the ones who taught me how to play football way back when,” he said.

“It’s been a great journey but I’m not finished yet.

“A very easy decision (to re-sign).”

He said there was no chance of being anything other than a one-club player, establishing strong friendships with Jack Henry, Jed Bews and Mark O’Connor.

“I’m pumped to play one more year at least,” he said.

“The club’s been great to me (from the start) ... they didn’t need to give me a shot way back when as a category B rookie.

“Geelong didn’t need to take a chance on me, they did.

“I’m forever indebted to them.”

Blicavs on his famous flexibility

Blicavs has obviously built a reputation for his almost peerless flexibility, and 2025 has been no different.

With rucks Toby Conway and Rhys Stanley injured, Blicavs has had to step up in their absence, while on Thursday night he was manning one of the greatest players in the game in Marcus Bontempelli at stoppage.

“(My assignments) change week to week, but I’ve played on the taller mids a little bit, with ‘Bont’ and ‘Crippa’ (Patrick Cripps) in the past,” Blicavs said.

“‘Scotty’ knows that, he goes through all different scenarios.

“It wasn’t a hard thing on Bont, it was more to play on the wing and it was great to have Rhys back.

“The way I play the wing is different to the way the other players in the team.

“That was a specific scenario for that game against him.

“I enjoy the challenge, I enjoy the different roles within the game as well.

“No doubt my role this week will be slightly different.”

Originally published as Geelong veteran Mark Blicavs says a background in athletics is serving Max Holmes and Shannon Neale well