GEELONG coach Chris Scott hasn’t ruled out Nakia Cockatoo playing a part in the club’s finals campaign ahead of his expected return to football in the Cats’ VFL clash with Port Melbourne on Sunday.
Scott says the 22-year-old, who hasn’t played since re-injuring his posterior cruciate ligament in VFL match against Sandringham on July 15 last year, is ready to go.
“He’s had a preparation that means he can come back in and perform,” Scott said during Geelong’s training session at Fremantle Oval ahead of Saturday’s AFL clash with the Dockers.
“He won’t play high game time; that’s just prudent after missing so much footy.
“But our expectation’s not that he’ll force his way into our team towards the end of the year – that’s not what our timing’s about, it’s more a longer-term play.
“But we won’t put a ceiling on it. As I’ve said before, he’s a talented player and our priority is to make sure he plays ten years with Geelong as opposed to squeezing his way into the team over the next month.”
Scott and his coaching staff will have some decisions to make at selection, with Zach Tuohy and Gary Rohan both set to return after being managed out of last week’s win over Sydney.
Both have travelled to Perth to join the 26-man squad from the clash with the Swans.
Sam Menegola is also in consideration for his first AFL match since undergoing knee surgery in mid-May.
“We’re keen to get him back into the team – it’s only a matter of time,” Scott said.
“Whether it’s this week or next week, we haven’t quite made up our minds, yet.
“I don’t think it will be difficult to get him in. He’s been a really high-level performer for us.”
However, Brandan Parfitt (back) will be sidelined again, while Nathan Krueger (knee) and Zach Guthrie (ankle) are also set be missing for at least another week.
Scott also confirmed the return of Jordan Cunico from a severe lower-leg injury suffered in the VFL in early April had been delayed.
“He’s had some Achilles soreness off the back of that broken ankle,” Scott said.
“I can say we haven’t definitively ruled him out for the rest of the year.
“Hopefully, there’s a long way to go.”
Twitter: @tom_king79
Email: kingy@geelongbroadcasters.com
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