Geelong are set to get a welcome boost of experience, a week after the reigning AFL premiers entered a rare match as the younger team.
Premiership players Tyson Stengle and Jack Henry could both return for the Cats’ trip to Perth to face resurgent Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
Stengle has missed a month after fracturing his arm against West Coast in round five, while Henry (foot) hasn’t featured since Geelong’s grand-final triumph last September.
“There’s no fortunate injuries but the upper limb injuries have a little bit of a silver lining in that generally those players can run pretty early in their rehab and that’s been the case with Tyson,” Cats coach Chris Scott told reporters on Wednesday.
“He’s moved really well and he’s got the all clear to play so we just need to think through exactly how that looks for us, but we’re starting to get some players back which is a good sign.
“Jack Henry is probably in that boat as well, he’s come to hand really quickly, so he’s at the stage where we’re seriously thinking about him playing.”
Stengle, who was an All-Australian last year in a fairytale first season with the Cats, will lift a Geelong forward line that struggled in last week’s defeat to Richmond.
Veteran power forward Tom Hawkins performed admirably, but Coleman Medal favourite Jeremy Cameron endured his worst game of the season as he was well held by Tigers defender Nathan Broad.
The match was the first time since round two, 2020, the Cats had gone into a game as the younger team.
Geelong (5-4) were missing eight players from last year’s decider with captain Patrick Dangerfield, fullback Sam De Koning and enigmatic forward Gary Rohan among the key outs.
Scott revealed Dangerfield would miss at least another match after the veteran star hurt his hamstring two weeks ago against Adelaide.
“He moved really well at training (on Wednesday),” Scott said
“We’re obviously going to hold him back, we’ve been really clear about that.
“Not sure exactly where it is except to say that we always thought it would be pre-bye somewhere.”
Young forward Ollie Henry will sit out the game against the Dockers after suffering a nasty testicular rupture late in the clash with Richmond.