Geelong coach Chris Scott has provided a buoying update on Tyson Stengle's return-to-play timeline.
It follows the 27-year-old being on an individual program after taking personal leave in December.
“It is really positive,” Scott said ahead of Geelong's Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn.
“Tyson is probably not that different to our other players, in that we are sort of cautious in that return to play period. But I guess if you wanted to compare it to anyone, it has been the slow process that we have taken with (Patrick) Dangerfield and (Jake) Kolodjashnij.
“He hasn't played VFL footy yet, but he has put together a really strong block of training. It is still very likely that we will wait a bit before we thrust him into an AFL game.
“It is likely going to be some VFL footy, but I would be very surprised if we can hold him back any longer.
“We were thinking about him playing some VFL footy this week, that gives you a bit of a guide on the timeline.”
There is a league-wide VFL bye next week before the Cats take on Footscray in a fortnight.
Scott also provided an update on Jack Bowes, hinting at a likely return.
"I think that is likely, as you know I am not going to walk you through our team and it will be named this afternoon," Scott said.
"But I am happy to say that Jack is one of those guys, he was almost a victim of circumstance in that the incumbents tended to get the nod for the Round 2 game against Adelaide, even though he was in really good form.
"He missed a couple of games with a really minor calf issue, but he is fit and firing now.
"It is really positive to get him back into our team in good form.”
Scott also indicated that the Cats would look to get Jhye Clark through his preferred midfield position, having served an apprenticeship during the early part of his AFL career.
Jake Koladjashnij is another who will return to the field in the coming weeks after hip and groin issues have sidelined him since the finals series last year but stressed a cautious approach would be taken.
“It is likely that he has served his return to play criteria, and now he is absolutely in a position where we will play him over the next few weeks,” Scott said.
“But again, I think it is unlikely that we will just drop him straight back in and he just plays every week from here. We have got the macro plan, which is obviously subject to change based on circumstance.
“We have been careful with him, we are optimistic that he is through the physical issues that he has had. There just has to be enough flex in there that if he does get a bit sore, that we don't keep pushing him through.
“I am certain that he will play a part in this little compressed period of the fixture.”
