GEELONG captain Mel Hickey needs only to get through training on Friday night to line-up in Sunday’s AFLW Round 3 clash with Adelaide.
Hickey, 33, hasn’t played since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Melbourne in March last year.
Cats coach Paul Hood says her return to the field couldn’t be better timed.
“Her experience will be invaluable, no doubt,” Hood said.
“Her physical strength will help our team; we can use a bit of size around the ball, so she’ll be invaluable in that department.
“She’s knocked off all her fitness tests gradually, so they’re all looking pretty good.
“She’s just got to get through the (training session) like everyone else.”
Fellow former Demon Rocky Cranston will also play her first match at AFLW level in the Hoops after serving a two-match suspension, while Maighan Fogas has been named on an extended bench.
However, veteran ruck Aasta O’Connor will miss with a knee injury suffered in the loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Hood is hopeful she will be right for the meeting with Carlton on February 23.
“It was a significant collision to her knee which has resulted in a little bit of fluid build-up and we expect that to disappear in 10 days,” he said.
O’Connor’s absence will see Erin Hoare shoulder much of the responsibility in the ruck.
The former star netballer made an impressive first appearance for Geelong against the Dogs, winning 31 hitouts, including an AFLW record 11 to advantage.
“(It was) an outstanding performance and we’re looking forward to our midfielders getting to play more and more with Erin and be able to take advantage of that,” Hood said.
Twitter: @tom_king79
ADELAIDE (4th Conference A) vs. GEELONG (2nd Conference B)
Norwood Oval
Sunday, February 17 2:35pm (AEDT)
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