Geelong haven’t put a line by way of Tom Hawkins for his or her AFL opener after the facet’s lack of offensive efficiency was uncovered by Brisbane of their closing pre-season hit-out.
Hawkins had foot surgical procedure through the low season and was missed within the Cats’ 46-point loss on Thursday to the Lions.
Fellow premiership stars Jeremy Cameron and Isaac Smith have been each rested, however assistant coach Shaun Grigg mentioned each have been match to play Collingwood on March 17.
Hawkins is much less prone to be part of them however Grigg dangled a carrot when requested how the massive ahead was monitoring.
“It’s probably a bit too early to say whether he’ll be there round one or not, but certainly he’s looking fit and moving around that forward line looking happy to be out on the track that’s for sure,” he mentioned.
“He (Cameron) has had a great pre-season and we’ve got a number of our older statesmen that are on their individual plans and Jezza … will be ready to go.”
Without Hawkins and Cameron prowling up entrance, the Cats loved 20 ahead 50 entries to Brisbane’s 9 within the first quarter however mustered simply two factors.
“Yeah we had a bit of a different forward line tonight,” Grigg mentioned.
“It was good to see Ollie Dempsey get another crack at it, Sam Simpson was in the side so those guys will get great confidence.
“Yeah we had a lot of inside 50s, probably didn’t convert as much as we would have hoped or liked, it just shows we’ve got a bit to work on and we’ll go to work.”
Mark Blicavs (sickness) was a late scratching whereas Jake Kolodjashnij will probably be assessed after leaving the sphere within the second half after a head knock.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
