Mark Blake will be the latest Cat to follow his father into the navy and white hoops after agreeing to join the club under the father-son rule. Blake, who represented Victoria Country at this year’s under-18 championship, will follow in the footsteps of his father Rod, who played 176 games with Geelong.

“Mark is a good athlete and tap ruckman,” Geelong coach Mark Thompson said.

“He has good upside and he will continue to improve. Working with the likes of Steven King on a daily basis will help his development and we are excited to have him on board. Mark will give us good depth in the ruck and he has also played up forward.”

Blake is an 18-year old, 198 cm ruckman/ forward who spent 2002 and 2003 with the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup, helping the club to the finals this season. He is currently studying at Belmont High School. To secure Blake the Cats will forgo their third round pick at the 2003 AFL National draft.

Geelong has five players on its senior list whose fathers played for the club. Gary Ablett’s father Gary played 242 games with the Cats; Tim Callan’s father Terry played 62 games; David Clarke’s father David played 202 games; Matthew McCarthy’s father Shane played 3 games and Matthew Scarlett’s father John played 183 games.

Rod Blake was an exceptional ruckman who claimed the Cats best and fairest in 1980.