SAM Menegola will play his first AFL match of 2022 when Geelong meets West Coast in his native Perth on Saturday.
The midfielder has been sidelined with a knee issue, which started with off-season surgery, and he only returned to action in the VFL loss to Footscray on June 3.
“He’s played one in the VFL and couldn’t play last week because of the bye, but he’s done a really big block of training, so we think he’s ready to come back,” coach Chris Scott said.
“He is one of those players that’s in the category of having virtually put back-to-back pre-seasons together he’s been running for so long.
“He’s had a bit of an issue with that knee that prevented him from getting that last couple of per cent to allow him to play, and our medical staff is really firm on waiting until they did get to that 100% stage where he could play which he is now.”
The inclusion of Menegola is among two changes for Geelong.
Jake Kolodjashnij returns from missing the win over the Western Bulldogs under the AFL’s health and safety protocol.
That protocol will see Gary Rohan sidelined, while Brandan Parfitt is recovering from a broken hand.
One of Shaun Higgins, who hasn’t played since Round 7, Francis Evans, Ollie Dempsey or Shannon Neale will be the Cats’ medi-sub.
K rock is live from 3:15pm (AEST) on FM 95.5 across Geelong and the Surf Coast
The stream commences on krock.com.au and then switches to AFL.com.au and the AFL app commences at 4:05pm
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AFL ROUND 14
WEST COAST EAGLES (18th) vs. GEELONG (5th)
Optus Stadium
Saturday, June 18, 4:35pm (AEST)
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