GEELONG defender Lachie Henderson will make his first AFL appearance of the season as a replacement for the injured Jack Henry in Thursday night’s clash with Adelaide.
Coach Chris Scott has confirmed Henderson, who has spent the past fortnight in the VFL, will make the trip to Adelaide.
“It’s pretty clear cut for us; we’d like Lachie in the side, and for the first couple of weeks it hasn’t worked out that way,” Scott said.
“He’s performed really well at VFL level and has been a fantastic influence on the group.
“It’s rare that this early in the preparation we’d make that announcement, but it’s just clear cut.
“Lachie’s going really well, and we’re excited to have him back in the team.
Henry was barely sighted after half time of Saturday’s 80-point thumping of Melbourne after injuring his hamstring.
“It’s significant enough for him to not play this week,” Scott said.
“But my understanding is that’s a reflection of the short turnaround and our unwillingness to take risks with young players rather than a reflection of the seriousness of the injury.
“But, hamstring tightness is the way it’s been described; it might be a small nick.
“… the upshot is he won’t play this week, but that will have in a good place to play either the next week or the week after that.”
Gary Ablett will play despite Scott revealing that during the pre-season the Cats had pencilled the clash with the Crows off a five-day break as a game the 34-year-old would sit out.
“This one we earmarked, but we’ve decided not to go that way because he’s in such good shape,” Scott said.
“But, I will reiterate my comments – he won’t play every game this year.
“Only two games in, albeit with a short break, it’s not quite the right time.
“But there will be times when discretion will be the better part of valour.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
