Reigning premiers Geelong are primed to construct on their stirring win over AFL flag fancies Melbourne as they eye a cost in the direction of September, Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij says.
Chris Scott’s facet could possibly be bolstered by the return of captain Patrick Dangerfield for Friday night time’s high-stakes conflict with Sydney on the SCG.
But they are going to be with out key ahead Jeremy Cameron, who’s in concussion protocols after copping a brutal head knock in a collision with teammate Gary Rohan.
The unintended conflict got here early within the Cats’ 15-point overcome Melbourne on Thursday night time, which squared their season document at 7-7 and put them on the sting of the highest eight.
“We’d like to be a little bit better placed on the ladder but it is what it is,” premiership defender Kolodjashnij advised AAP.
“We’ve been a bit unfortunate, we seem to get guys back and someone else goes down. It was Patty (Dangerfield) last week and Jez (Cameron) this week.
“It’s simply the best way the season has been enjoying out, however that is alright.
“We’ve got great depth and we’ve got some more guys on the mend who will hopefully get healthy soon.
“Hopefully we will discover some kind within the again half of the yr on the again of this efficiency.”
No.1 ruckman Rhys Stanley impressed on his comeback from an eye socket injury against Melbourne, while midfield gun Cam Guthrie (toe) and versatile tall Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) are set to return in coming weeks.
Geelong have destroyed Sydney in their two most recent meetings – an 81-point annihilation in last year’s grand final and a 93-point thrashing in round six.
But they were beaten by 30 points on their last trip to Sydney, in round two last season, on a night when Swans superstar Lance Franklin kicked his 1000th career goal.
“It appears like each week’s an enormous recreation for us particularly due to the place we’re positioned,” Kolodjashnij stated.
“We’re trying ahead to that problem and so they’ll be fired up little doubt to get some payback for the final time we performed them down right here (in Geelong).
“We had a nice convincing win but they’re always tough to play up there and we’ll have to bring our best footy once again, but hopefully off the back of this win (over Melbourne) we can do that.”
Dangerfield was desperate to play in opposition to Melbourne final Thursday night time – per week after struggling a cracked rib and {a partially} collapsed lung – however was overruled by membership medical workers.
The midfield famous person has performed only one recreation since spherical eight, when he sustained a hamstring harm, and is but to be given the inexperienced gentle to return in opposition to Sydney.
“I know he’ll be putting his hand up,” Kolodjashnij stated.
“It’s just a matter of whether the medical team are confident he’s right to go and he’s not putting himself at too much risk.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
