VETERAN defender Lachie Henderson looks set to undergo scans on a lower leg injury suffered in Geelong’s 20-point VFL loss to North Melbourne at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval.
The 29-year-old, who only returned from a plantar fascia issue last week, was forced from the field before half time of the 17.11 (113) to 14.9 (93) defeat.
“It was lower leg again,” coach Shane O’Bree said.
“We’ll have to scan it and do what we need to just make sure it’s OK.”
Key forward Wylie Buzza was also a casualty after copping a head knock, while Quinton Narkle came from the field with a tight hamstring.
Combine that with the limited minutes for returning duo Lachie Fogarty and Jed Bews, and Scott Selwood still restricted, and it was no surprise Geelong was overrun by the Roos.
However, O’Bree was proud of how the Cats fought out the match.
“We were five men down in the last quarter again,” he said.
“I don’t know how that happens when you’ve got a five-man bench (and) you don’t have anyone in the last quarter.
“We had some critical injuries at wrong times. Hendo went down during the game and Buzza gets knocked out just after half time.
“There’s two key players and you have to shuffle the decks a bit.”
A positive for Geelong was the first appearance of 2019 of small forward Lachie Fogarty.
The 20-year-old, who played 15 AFL games in his debut season last year, had 27 possessions, laid seven tackles and kicked a goal on his return from hip surgery.
“He looked really good; hopefully he pulls up well from that,” O’Bree said. “He should be really pleased with the work he’s done.
“He’s probably done a couple of extra weeks of training, which has put him in good stead for today’s game.
“His touch, his pressure, his zip around the contest, which are his strengths, were really pleasing today first up.
“Hopefully he pulls up well and we keep seeing a bit more of that.”
Big man Darcy Fort again pressed his claims for an AFL debut with three goals, while Sam Simpson and rookie Blake Schlensog also contributed three majors.
Geelong will be looking for its second win when it hosts Collingwood at GMHBA Stadium next Sunday.
Twitter: @tom_king79
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.1, 7.5, 11.9, 17.11 (113)
GEELONG 4.1, 8.3, 12.6, 14.9 (93)
Goals: North Melbourne: N. Hrovat 6, T. Xerri 3, N. Holmes 2, D. Robinson 2, A. Hall 2, M. Tang, B. Whitecross
Geelong: S. Simpson 3, D. Fort 3, B. Schlensog 3, W. Buzza 2, J. Keras, J. Jones, L. Fogarty
Best: North Melbourne: N. Hrovat, T. Xerri, D. Watson, T. Campbell, R. Morrison, D. Robinson
Geelong: L. Fogarty, S. Simpson, Z. Smith, D. Fort, B. Schlensog, J. Tsitas
