ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Tom Hawkins of the Cats looks on during the First AFL Preliminary Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval on September 22, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Geelong have provided an injury update on some key names as Round 1 of the 2023 season edges closer, with the Cats set to kick off their season on Friday night.
The club is confident Tom Hawkins will be right to face selection after off-season foot surgery, though Sam Menegola won't feature after being ruled out for the "short term" after knee surgery, per Geelong's general manager of football, Simon Lloyd.
“Tom is completing most of main training and moving really well and freely, so again, that'll be something our coaching team, and Scotty and match committee will need to sit down and work through what that looks like,” Lloyd said.
“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).
“Sam, post the Hawthorn scratch match, where he obviously played well, pulled up a little bit sore post that game and on further investigation we saw a specialist and we made the decision for Sam to have surgical intervention on his knee.
“So, for Sam 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. Again, he put a good body or work in and that'll still hold him in good stead.”
The Cats also confirmed that Jack Henry is set to miss a few weeks with a foot injury. The young defender underwent surgery over a week ago and will commence his rehabilitation in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Jake Kolodjashnij remains in concussion protocols and won't feature in Round 1.
“Obviously Jack Henry injured his foot a couple of weeks ago. He's now well over a week post-surgery. Jack will be non-weight bearing for the next fortnight, then his rehabilitation program will start. That will be a medium-term injury but Jack's in a great head space and as I've said, he's highly professional and he's really important to our team so hopefully that time will move quick,” Lloyd said.
“And Jake Kolodjashnij is currently in the concussion protocols and as per any concussion we'll be guided by our medical team as to Jake's progress. He is on the improve but again we'll be guided by our medical team.”
Geelong will get their season underway on Friday, March 17 against Collingwood at the MCG.