Barring a mishap at training, Cam Guthrie will play his first game in over eight months in Geelong’s VFL match-up with Footscray on Friday night.
The 32-year-old has been sidelined since undergoing surgery for an ongoing Achilles issue in February.
A two-time winner of the Carji Greeves Medal, Guthrie has been limited to just ten AFL matches since the 2022 grand final.
His 2023 season was over following the Round 6 win over Sydney due to a foot issue, before suffering a quad injury in the opening moments of the first practice match against Carlton last year that sidelined him until Round 7.
Guthrie managed four consecutive games on his return in Round 7 before the Achilles issue first flared.
He returned for Geelong’s VFL semi-final loss to Southport but could not force his way into the AFL preliminary final line-up.
Set to join Guthrie in action at Whitten Oval is Carlton recruit Jack Martin, who the Cats have taken a conservative approach with since his arrival at GMHBA Stadium.
“We are looking forward to welcoming back Cam and Jack via the VFL on Friday when we take on the Western Bulldogs (sic) at Whitten Oval,” football boss Andrew Mackie said.
“At this stage both players are set to play managed minutes.”
Vice-captain Tom Stewart, ruck Rhys Stanley, and young midfielder Mitch Knevitt are also available for selection.
However, Jack Bowes hamstring injury will sideline him for between 2-5 weeks, while Jhye Clark has entered concussion protocols following the VFL’s Saturday night loss to Port Melbourne.
“Scans on Monday afternoon have confirmed Jack has sustained a right hamstring strain,” Mackie said.
“At this stage we expect him to miss the next 2-5 weeks.
“A more specific timeline will become clearer as he progresses through first two weeks of his rehabilitation.”
Irish rookie Cillian Burke is closing on pulling on the Hoops next month after battling a knee issue.
“Cillian is progressing well in his rehabilitation from a knee injury and has begun to integrate into parts of main training,” Mackie said.
“We expect him to be ready to play in VFL football in the fortnight.”
X: @krockfootball
GEELONG INJURY LIST
| PLAYER | INJURY | TIMEFRAME |
| Jack Bowes | Hamstring | 2-5 weeks |
| Cillian Burke | Knee | 2-3 weeks |
| Jhye Clark | Concussion | Concussion Protocol |
| Toby Conway | Back | TBC |
| Patrick Dangerfield | Hamstring | 1-2 weeks |
| Mitch Edwards | Management | TBC |
| Lenny Hofmann | Back | Indefinite |
| Jake Kolodjashnij | Groin | 1-2 weeks |
| Jacob Molier | Management | Indefinite |
