GEELONG expects to be boosted by the return of captain Joel Selwood and ruck Rhys Stanley for Saturday’s clash with fellow finals contender St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
A corked calf saw Selwood miss his second game of the season against the GWS Giants, while Stanley was a late withdrawal after falling short of overcoming an ankle injury suffered in the loss to Fremantle.
The return of Stanley for the clash with his former club provides Chris Scott and his coaching staff with a decision on how to best use Mark Blicavs.
The versatile veteran had season-high disposals (25), hitouts (21) and clearances (8) against the Giants, drawing praise from Scott post-match.
“It’s always a really interesting topic of discussion and debate amongst our coaches, and our players as well, and – most importantly – Mark in that,” Scott said.
“I think it’s safe to say the evidence is in, in terms of his best position.
“He’s always been a hybrid player for us. But, it’s very, very clear over a number of years that when he’s up through the middle of the ground, he has his biggest impact for us.”
Jed Bews will be sidelined due to his second concussion of the season, while Shaun Higgins is unlikely after missing the trip to Canberra with general soreness.
“He’s in a group of other players as well that need to be managed by virtue of their age and experience,” Scott said.
“But, he’s unique in that he has some injury issues that he’s managing that we’re going to be really careful with.
“It’s likely a few of those guys will play less senior footy so that when they do senior footy – even VFL footy – that they’re ready to perform.
“He’s going to be held back for a little bit, and we’ll use that period to get some solid training into him, so when he dies play, he’s ready to play his best.”
With the return of Selwood and Stanley and Bews the only certain out, last week’s debutants Cooper Stephens and Mitch Knevitt are no guarantees to take on St Kilda.
“They certainly played well enough to hold their spots; we do have a couple coming back … so that makes it more difficult for them,” Scott said.
“I think the most important thing to convey is that we thought they played well enough to play AFL footy the next week.
“That’s the most important part; long-term, in their development, that they were able to come in and they were comfortable at the level.”
There is still no certainty around Jack Henry’s return from a foot problem.
Click below to listen to Chris Scott’s media conference in full.
Twitter: @tom_king79
