Geelong star Cam Guthrie. (Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)
CAM Guthrie won’t be seen in a Geelong jumper until the closing stages of the AFL season, with the gun midfielder to have surgery on a toe issue.
The Cats have confirmed Guthrie, who shared last year’s Carji Greeves Medal with Jeremy Cameron, will go under the knife on Friday.
Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd said the 230-game veteran – last seen in the Round 6 win over Sydney – had increased his training loads before being reassessed by the club’s medicos.
“We are all disappointed for Cam, and unfortunately, his recovery since sustaining the injury has not progressed as we would have hoped,” Lloyd said.
“After consultation with our medical team and Cam, we have come to a decision that surgery is the best path forward to protect both Cam’s short and long-term health.”
Meanwhile, Geelong will welcome back Gary Rohan for Saturday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.
The explosive forward has been included in the starting 22 along with Mitch Knevitt, who was the starting substitute for last week’s loss to the GWS Giants.
Knevitt replaced the injured Esava Ratugolea (hamstring), who joins Brandan Parfitt (omitted) in going out of the team.
Gold Coast recruit Jack Bowes could return from a calf injury as the substitute after being named an emergency alongside Parfitt, Sam Simpson and Ollie Dempsey.