For large parts of the pre-season, the good health of the Geelong list has been a constant theme when talking to players and staff at the club.
And while they’ve been quick to point out that the situation can change quickly (Hawthorn, anyone?), the Cats will have just three players missing from tomorrow’s practice match against Carlton.
First-year football boss Andrew Mackie confirmed this morning (Wednesday) that only livewire forward Gary Rohan (back), draftee Mitch Edwards (managed), and basketball convert Joe Furphy, who is working back to full fitness after minor foot surgery, won’t play against the Blues.
Mackie said Rohan was involved in full training but wouldn’t commit to him being part of the Round 1 meeting with St Kilda.
“Time will tell on that – there’s still a few weeks to go,” Mackie said.
“But, right now, things are looking OK, and, as I said, main training’s always a good sign.”
With strong availability, Mackie said there won’t be a defined split for Geelong between the AFL and VFL components of the contest.
“We’re approaching it more over the eight periods rather than just the first game being the set team going forward,” he said. “There is a lot of managing in these games.
“The availability of our group for the majority of the pre-season has been really impressive.
“So, what that does do is (it) means there’s a few conversations going (on) around how much game time you give certain players.
“We obviously play next Friday night down here against the Bombers, but (it is) a good opportunity to see a lot of our group.”
CATS: KNEVITT GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
After injury-interrupted 2023 seasons, Cam Guthrie and Jack Henry are ready to go, while the matchup with the Blues will give Geelong fans a first glimpse of highly-touted draftee Connor O’Sullivan.
Taken with the Cats’ first pick in last year’s National Draft and given the honour of being the first player to wear no.14 after club great Joel Selwood, O’Sullivan has won plenty of admirers over pre-season.
Whether that results in a Round 1 debut for the Murray Bushrangers remains the unknown.
“That will take care of itself a little bit,” Mackie said.
“He’ll play tomorrow and play against some really good players in Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow, potentially.
“So there’s going to be some good matchups for him.
“He’s a super-impressive young, talented player, as are a few of our guys that are first-year players for us.
“At this stage, we couldn’t ask for anything more of a first-year player and the way he’s settled in and the development of how he’s going.
“Whether it’s Round 1, whether it’s Round 21, we’re really confident he’ll have a really good future with us.”
K rock Football will broadcast the first four periods via krockfootball.live from 11:30 am
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