AFTER an injury-interrupted 2022, Geelong midfielder Sam Menegola is facing more time on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.
The 31-year-old, limited to just seven matches last year, suffered knee soreness following the Cats’ practice match win over Hawthorn on February 23.
“On further investigation, we saw a specialist, and we made the decision for Sam to have surgical intervention on his knee,” Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd said.
“So, for Sam, that will be a medium-term prospect, but the great news for Sam is that this time next week, he’ll start his cross-training, and he’ll be on the bike, and things will start to move pretty quick.
“Again, he put a good body of work in, and that’ll still hold him in good stead.”
Geelong has also put a line through utility Jack Henry and defender Jake Kolodjashnij for next Friday’s season-opener against Collingwood.
Henry underwent surgery last week on a foot injury suffered against the Hawks, while Kolodjashnij was forced out of the meeting with the Brisbane Lions after suffering a head knock.
“Jack will be non-weight bearing for the next fortnight, then his rehabilitation program will start,” Lloyd said.
“That will be a medium-term injury, but Jack’s in a great head space, and as I’ve said, he’s highly professional, and he’s really important to our team, so hopefully, that time will move quick,”
“And Jake Kolodjashnij is currently in the concussion protocols, and as per any concussion, we’ll be guided by our medical team as to Jake’s progress. He is improving, but again we’ll be guided by our medical team.”
Veteran Mitch Duncan and young bigs Shannon Neale and Toby Conway are also sidelined.
“Obviously, it’s been reported that Mitch jumped on a plane and, just for a change of scenery, went to South Australia to continue his training program,” Lloyd said.
“He’s been doing a big body of running work and getting some treatment from Steve Saunders in SA, who is one of our physios and sports scientists, so Mitch is in a great place and is tracking well.
“Shannon Neale, who had an ankle injury, is involved in main training at the moment, and that’ll increase over the next couple of weeks.”
“Toby Conway is now weight bearing, he had a stress reaction in his foot, and obviously, he’s a big boy and a ruckman, and so he’s doing a lot of strengthening work on that foot, and he’s progressing well.”
However, the door remains open for Tom Hawkins, who has rejoined main training after off-season toe surgery.
“Tom is completing most of main training and moving really well and freely, so again, that’ll be something our coaching team, and Scotty and match committee will need to sit down and work through what that looks like,” Lloyd said.
“But as we’ve said all along for all of our players, we’ll always have the longer term picture and the best interests of the player (front of mind).”
Twitter: @krockfootball
