Veteran Cam Guthrie’s hopes of an AFL return in 2025 appear slim after Geelong chose to hold him back from tomorrow’s VFL clash against Essendon.
Today (Friday) marks two months since the two-time Carji Greeves medallist last took the field, in what was his third VFL appearance of the season.
Guthrie has been battling a calf issue, continuing an injury-plagued three seasons since Geelong won the 2022 premiership, during which he has been restricted to just 10 AFL matches.
It is hoped Guthrie, who turns 33 on August 19, will play in the final VFL match of the home-and-away season next week.
As confirmed by Geelong AFL coach Chris Scott yesterday (Thursday), Mitch Duncan will wait another week to return from a shoulder injury.
However, Jake Kolodjashnij will take to the field for the first time since the AFL Community Series after putting ongoing groin and back concerns behind him.
The Cats have also included VFL vice-captain Marcus Herbert and big man Nathan Kreuger, who is fresh from a seven-goal haul with Grovedale in the Geelong league last week.
Mitch Knevitt has earned an AFL recall, Ollie Henry remains in the concussion protocol, and VFL-listed Taj Wyburd has been omitted.
X: @krockfootball
GEELONG
INS: J. Kolodjashnij, M. Herbert, N. Kreuger
OUTS: M. Knevitt (AFL), O. Henry (concussion protocol), T. Wyburd
| B | X. Ivisic (25) | D. Capiron (50) | J. Molier (20) |
| HB | C. Burke (41) | J. Pike (37) | K. Matafoi-Forbes (31) |
| C | P. Retschko (27) | L. Hofmann (23) | J. Kolodjashnij (8) |
| HF | J. Polkinghorne (2) | T. Conway (6) | O. Wiltshire (21) |
| F | J. Clark (13) | N. Kreuger (69) | T. Clohesy (40) |
| R | M. Edwards (11) | G. Stevens (15) | J. Bews (24) |
| I/C | M. Herbert (62) | K. Annand (59) | P. Kelly (74) |
| T. Murray (61) | J. Mellor (49) | ||
| EMG | P. Hughes (64) | T. Wyburd (54) | K. George (67) |
| O. Pollock (70) | D. Madigan (65) | W. Sheahan (72) | |
| J. Ballantyne (57) | J. Sarcevic (52) |
