GEELONG midfielder Scott Selwood is set to spend an extended stint in the Cats’ VFL team in preparation for a return to the AFL side in the second half of the season.
Selwood, who has played just 32 of a possible 78 games since arriving at the club ahead of the 2016 season, has been sidelined since re-injuring his hamstring in a VFL practice match in mid-March.
He will make his return alongside veteran defender Lachie Henderson in the VFL meeting with Essendon at the MCG on Sunday.
“We’re not prepared to talk about publicly about how much they’ll play, but it will certainly be reduced game time for Scott, in particular, and maybe Lachie,” coach Chris Scott said.
“… I wouldn’t panic if you see Scott come off. It will certainly be reduced, in terms of his overall load, and his progression to AFL availability is more than likely going to be a relatively long one.”
Henderson was squeezed out of the AFL team for the opening two rounds despite appearing in both JLT Series matches.
The former Lion and Blue was recalled for the clash with the Crows as a replacement for Jack Henry, but he suffered an injury to his plantar fascia and hasn’t played since.
Scott says despite being fit, Henderson wasn’t in contention to play the Bombers.
“His foot injury was such that, as most foot injuries tend to be, he hasn’t done much training,” Scott said.
“So, he always needed to come back through the VFL, so we didn’t even consider match-ups at AFL level.
“If we assume he is going to get through this week OK, then all options are available for AFL selection after that.”
Scott revealed defender Jed Bews (osteitis pubis) and small forward Lachie Fogarty (groin/hip) are “really close” to playing for the first time in 2019.
“Lachie’s different to Jed in that he’s had a long rehab and may well need more time at VFL level because he hasn’t trained as much as Jed,” Scott said.
“Jed in the previous month or two hasn’t trained that much, but prior to that had a good fitness base behind him.
“There’s every chance that those two could be available to play VFL footy in the next 2-3 weeks.”
Click below to hear Chris Scott’s media conference in full.
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