Geelong are set to be bolstered by the return of spearhead forward Tom Hawkins for Saturday's clash with Sydney at GMHBA Stadium, according to teammate Mitch Duncan.
Hawkins was a late withdrawal in his side's 34-point win over Port Adelaide due to back spasms and must prove his fitness during the Cats' main training session at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday.
Speaking to SEN on Thursday morning, Duncan was confident that his teammate would be fit to face the Swans in round six.
"By all reports, he's going really well, so fingers crossed he can get through training today and put in a solid performance," Duncan told SEN Breakfast.
"We've got the main session today and that will give a good indication of how he's going."
Hawkins has had an indifferent start to 2018, booting four goals from his four matches. Regardless, he shapes as a handy inclusion for a Cats side that have been struck down by injuries.
Gary Ablett is still a couple of weeks away from returning,ย and Duncan refuted claims that the Cats are a stronger side without the dual Brownlow Medallist.
"His pre-season was remarkable, he pretty much did every session, and a couple of little hiccups lately has cost him a little bit," Duncan said.
"I disagree with that because when he's in the side we can be better, so it's probably just managing how we play him a bit better to get the best out of him."
Geelong play a Sydney outfit that will be without stars Lance Franklin and Dan Hannebery. Both sides are 3-3 and must win to stay in touch with the top four.
Geelong coach Chris Scott also backed in Hawkins to return against Sydney.
โMore than likely, heโs already done a lot of work and it looks positive,โ Scott toldย SENโs Whateley.
โWhen you have an injury that late in the piece, it only came out minutes before the game last week, the hope is if he had a few days to recover heโd be okay.
Scott said the Cats will not be taking any risks with Ablett, but suggested that he will return sooner rather than later.
โTechnically heโs a chance, but weโve got a little bit to work through,โ Scott said.
โThe positive side of it is heโs going well. Thereโs absolute confirmation that it was a very minor strain, but we need to be absolutely sure that thereโs as little risk as possible.
โI suspect the prevailing view is that heโs absolutely right and thatโs probably going to take an extra week and weโre going to play the long game with Gary, no question with that.โ
