CAT ATTACK PODCAST – SEPTEMBER 8
Geelong midfielder James Worpel’s first season at the club has come to an earlier than hoped for conclusion after being booked in for surgery.
The former Hawthorn best-and-fairest winner suffered a hamstring injury in the win over North Melbourne in Round 23, with the Cats hoping he would play a role late in September if the club progressed that far.
“Ongoing monitoring suggested his injury was unlikely to progress sufficiently to allow him to play this season, and surgery provides the best option for Worpel to be available for an uninterrupted 2027 pre-season,” Geelong said in its weekly injury update.
Meanwhile, veteran ruck Rhys Stanley is a chance to return from knee surgery in Sunday’s VFL preliminary final.
Geelong’s AFLW injury list remains a lengthy one, with eight players – excluding the inactive Georgie Rankin – featured.
It includes Emma Kilpatrick, whose season is over after scans confirmed she needs surgery on a dislocated shoulder suffered in the win over Gold Coast late last month.
“While it’s disappointing that Emma will miss the remainder of the season, our priority is ensuring she gets the care and support she needs through surgery and her rehabilitation,” Geelong football boss Dom Condo said.
“We know Emma will approach her recovery with the same commitment and optimism she brings to everything she does.”
Draftee Priya Bowering underwent surgery earlier this week on a foot fracture sustained against the Suns, with her return-to-play timeline to be confirmed.
Irish star Kate Kenny now has a timeline for her return from a foot issue, with Round 10 the best hope.
Geelong, which was forced to use top-ups among its emergencies for the win over Essendon, will hope to welcome back ruck Piper Dunlop and winger Zali Friswell for Sunday’s meeting with the Crows in Adelaide.
Dunlop is listed as a test to make her return from a knee injury, while Friswell is progressing through the concussion protocol.
X: @krockfootball
GEELONG AFL INJURY LIST
| Player | Injury | Timeline |
| Rhys Stanley | Knee | Test |
| James Worpel | Hamstring | Season |
| Toby Conway | Foot and knee | TBC |
| Harley Barker | Knee | TBC |
GEELONG AFLW INJURY LIST
| Player | Injury | Timeline |
| Piper Dunlop | Knee | Test |
| Caitie Tipping | Knee | 2-5 weeks |
| Alissa Brook | Foot | 3-5 weeks |
| Amy McDonald | Hamstring | 4-6 weeks |
| Kate Kenny | Foot | 6-7 weeks |
| Zali Friswell | Concussion Protocol | Concussion Protocol |
| Priya Bowering | Foot | TBC |
| Emma Kilpatrick | Shoulder | Season |
| Georgie Rankin | Neck | Season |
