Reigning premiers Geelong are nonetheless hoping spearhead Tom Hawkins might be match for his or her AFL season opener in opposition to Collingwood however wingman Sam Menegola has been sidelined by knee surgical procedure.
Hawkins, 34, had foot surgical procedure in October and didn’t function within the pre-season matches however the Cats are but to rule him out of subsequent Friday’s blockbuster on the MCG.
The key ahead – who performs an important position in Geelong’s attacking construction – booted 67 objectives final yr and shaped an ominous mixture with fellow gun Jeremy Cameron (65 objectives).
“Tom is completing most of main training and moving really well and freely … that’ll be something our coaching team, and Scotty (coach Chris Scott) and match committee will need to sit down and work through,” soccer boss Simon Lloyd advised the membership’s web site.
“But as we’ve said all along for all of our players, we’ll always have the longer-term picture and the best interests of the player (front of mind).”
Menegola, one of many emergencies for final yr’s grand remaining, might be out of motion for the “medium term”.
“Sam, post the Hawthorn scratch match, where he obviously played well, pulled up a little bit sore … and on further investigation we saw a specialist and we made the decision for Sam to have surgical intervention on his knee,” Lloyd stated.
“That will be a medium-term prospect but the great news for Sam is that this time next week he’ll start his cross training and he’ll be on the bike and things will start to move pretty quick.”
Defender Jack Henry stays sidelined after foot surgical procedure whereas fellow backman Jake Kolodjashnij is in concussion protocols and might be monitored.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
