As the GIANTS get set for one of the toughest road trips in the AFL, take a look inside the Cattery for all the news out of Geelong this week.
Cats coach Chris Scott spoke to the media on Thursday morning and discussed some potential returns, including power forward Tom Hawkins who has finished serving a two-week suspension.
Asked about the forward line structure, Scott was tight-lipped about whether Harry Taylor would continue to have a key forward role with Hawkins’ return.
“Those sort of considerations have been things we’ve pondered throughout the year,” he said.
“We've been consistent with Harry that some weeks we think he’s best served forward and there’ll be other weeks the team will need him back.
“I’m not prepared to forecast exactly where we’re at with that this week but ‘Hawk’ coming back does give us that flexibility.
“Without question, and it’s an obvious statement, but the forward line will look different this week just by virtue of Tom being back in but that doesn’t preclude Harry or even Wylie Buzzard or Rhys Stanley playing forward too.
“Maybe one of the silver linings of the past fortnight is that we’ve had a different look and the chance to see how that impacts our offence.”
Highly-rated utility Mark Blicavs has somewhat surprisingly come into contention to return in this weekend’s clash, just a month after suffering a fractured tibia and syndesmosis ankle damage in round 18.
The tall midfielder has missed four weeks of football, but according to Geelong physio Mark Young is well ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.
"'Blitz' is going really well, ahead of expectations actually," Young told the club's website.
"He's joined in the full footy (training) this week and moved really well.
"We'll test him again on Thursday in main training but he's a chance this weekend."
Duncan v Mumford or David v Goliath ð¹
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) August 24, 2017
There is unfinished business on Saturday night.
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Another in line for a recall is Rhys Stanley, who missed the Cats’ win over Collingwood due to a minor calf strain, and will be out to prove his fitness on the training track this week.
Brandan Parfitt was omitted for the Collingwood clash and was the team’s emergency while Jordan Cunico picked up 24 disposals and two goals in the VFL.
Darcy Lang was also named as an emergency for the AFL team but ended up playing the VFL and was named among the best players with 19 disposals and five tackles.
The teams will be named at 6:25pm on Thursday with the Cats and GIANTS to do battle at 7:25pm on Saturday with live coverage on 7mate in NSW and the ACT.