Mark Blicavs

Mark Blicavs (born 28 March 1991), is a professional Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He made his debut for the club in round one of the 2013 AFL season.

Early life

Blicavs' parents were both born overseas – his father was born in New Zealand to Latvian parents, and his mother was born on the isle of Jersey. Both of his parents represented Australia at basketball. His father Andris Blicavs played at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and his mother Karen Ogden was a member of the team that competed at the 1983 World Championships. His brother Kris has played basketball in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) and his sister Sara Blicavs played in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL).

Prior to being recruited by Geelong, Blicavs was a middle-distance runner and steeplechaser, who attempted to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Football career

Blicavs was recruited by Geelong with draft pick #54 in the 2012 Rookie Draft. He made his debut in Round 1, 2013, against Hawthorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In 2015, Blicavs won the Carji Greeves Medal as Geelong's best and fairest player., Blicavs was also the first AFL player to receive a fine for Staging in 2019, Round 19 against the Sydney Swans.

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of 2015 season