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Geelong's Mark Blicavs Reaches 300 AFL Games, Highlighted for Positional Versatility

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Mark Blicavs: The 300-Game Chameleon

Geelong Cats player Mark Blicavs is set to play his 300th Australian Football League (AFL) game. Statistical analysis indicates Blicavs has played a lower percentage of his career in a single primary position than most players over the past two decades. His career achievements include a premiership, two club best and fairest awards, and an All-Australian selection.

Career Milestone and Background

Mark Blicavs will become the eighth Geelong player and the second rookie in V/AFL history to reach the 300-game milestone. The 198cm tall player was recruited as a Category B rookie in 2012, having previously competed in steeplechasing and basketball. He made his AFL debut in round one of the 2013 season and has missed just 18 games over 13 seasons.

Statistical Analysis of Versatility

Data analysis reveals the extreme positional versatility that has defined Blicavs's career. His overall career positional breakdown is:

  • 29.9% in defence
  • 28.1% in the ruck
  • 17.1% on the wing
  • 15.7% in the midfield
  • 9.1% as a forward

His primary position percentage of 29.9% (as a defender) is among the lowest for players with over 150 games in the past 20 years.

In the current 2026 season, his role has shifted significantly, with playing time allocated as: 65.6% in the ruck, 30.8% on the wing, 2.6% in defence, 1.0% as a forward, and 0.0% in the midfield.

A comparative statistical table highlights other players with notable positional versatility over the past two decades:

  • Nick Suban (Fremantle): 25.7% as Defender
  • Leigh Montagna (St Kilda): 27.1% as Midfielder
  • Brendon Goddard (St Kilda/Essendon): 27.8% as Midfielder
  • Mitch Duncan (Geelong): 28.0% on Wing
  • Nathan Van Berlo (Adelaide): 28.6% as Midfielder

Perspectives from Teammates and Coach

Former Teammate Mitch Duncan

Duncan stated that Blicavs's versatility provides a "great understanding of the gameplan as a whole" and that he asked many questions to learn different roles early in his career. Duncan also described Blicavs's off-field personality as "chill and relaxed."

Mark Blicavs

Blicavs said his preferred roles are "mid-wing-ruck" and that he feels comfortable discussing positional moves with coach Chris Scott. He noted that a rule change banning the "third man up" in ruck contests required him to "reinvent" his game. Source reports indicate he suggested his play style may have influenced this rule change.

Coach Chris Scott

Scott said Blicavs had a "voracious appetite to learn" when he started and that his versatility makes coaching "more difficult" when he is unavailable.

Scott described Blicavs's approach as having a "desire to help first, and then benefit second," and expressed confidence that Blicavs can continue playing for several more years.