GEELONG could have up to eight players return from injury across its AFL and VFL teams this weekend.
Reigning best-and-fairest Tom Stewart will be right to take on West Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday after getting through the concussion protocol with no ill effects following an incident in the win over the Western Bulldogs.
He’ll likely be joined in Perth by fellow defender Jake Kolodjashnij who missed the clash with Doggies under health and safety protocols.
Veteran Shaun Higgins and the uncapped Nick Stevens will also be available.
Higgins has also been missing since the loss to the Dockers with what the club called general soreness, while foot soreness has sidelined Stevens for a month.
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The Cats will make decisions in the coming days on best-and-fairest runner-up Jack Henry, speedster Max Holmes and big man Esava Ratugolea
However, star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield won’t make the trip west.
Dangerfield hasn’t played since the Round 10 win over Port Adelaide, with Geelong keen to get his body right for the second half of the season.
“Patrick is progressing well in his reconditioning program,” head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor.
“He will continue to complete high-intensity sessions during the remainder of the week and over the weekend with further decisions regarding his availability to be made next week.”
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Henry has been sidelined with a foot issue since the Easter Monday loss to Hawthorn.
“Jack Henry is expected to be a test later this week, with a decision of whether he returns this week to be made by coaches and medical and conditioning team,” Taylor said.
Holmes hasn’t played since suffering syndesmosis damage in the loss to Fremantle in Round 7., while Ratugolea underwent ankle surgery early last month.
“Max and Esava have both progressed well through their reconditioning programs,” Taylor said
“Both will be a test later this week to determine their availability.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
