Geelong has been dealt a devastating early injury blow, with veteran midfielder Cam Guthrie limping from Ikon Park just seconds after the first bounce of the Cats’ match simulation against Carlton.
After sprinting away from the first clearance and kicking the ball, Guthrie grabbed his right leg and fell to the turf before coming from the field.
A dual-best and fairest, All-Australian and premiership player, Guthrie played just six games last season due to a foot issue.
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“Fingers crossed for Cam,” Carlton great Ed Curnow said on Kayo Sports commentary.
“He looked super fit and excited for the season. Im hoping its not too bad for him. Hes a fantastic person and a key cog in the Geelong midfield and a bit of anightmare to play on when he’s up and running.”
After Carlton kicked the first two goals of the game through Jesse Motlop and Harry McKay, the Cats’ forward line found their groove, kicking the next four consecutive majors, with Tom Hawkins booting two of them.”
Geelong fans are set to get their first glimpse of exciting key-position draftee Connor O’Sullivan, with the recent No. 11 pick named to face Carlton in match simulation.
The Cats have named a near full-strength squad for Thursday’s hit-out, with Gary Rohan (managed) the only best-23 member not named. Recent draftees O’Sullivan, Shaun Mannagh, George Stevens, Oli Wiltshire and Lawson Humphries have all been named for Geelong.
Blues fans will get their first look at recruits Orazio Fantasia and Elijah Hollands, who arrived from Port Adelaide and Gold Coast respectively in the off-season, while SA draftee Ashton Moir could also spend some game time with the AFL squad.
Carlton could make its trip north to face Brisbane in Opening Round without six of its first-choice players as the club leaves a decision on Sam Walsh’s fitness until the last minute.
The Blues on Thursday confirmed co-vice captain Sam Walsh was on a modified training program as he battles back soreness, but also revealed small forwards Jack Martin and Matt Owies and defender Caleb Marchbank were in significant doubt for the season opener. Corey Durdin will miss about two weeks with a hamstring injury.
It comes as the Blues are already set to be without Jacob Weitering (calf) until at least round 3, and miss forward-ruck Jack Silvagni for the entire season after his devastating ACL injury in January.
Zac Williams will also miss Thursday’s match, which gets underway at 11.30am (AEDT) from Ikon Park.
The only way to watch it live is via Fox Footy (channel 503) and/or streaming on Kayo.
BLUES SQUAD
2. Lachlan Cowan, 3. Jesse Motlop, 4. Ollie Hollands, 5. Adam Cerra, 8. Lachie Fogarty, 9. Patrick Cripps, 10. Harry McKay, 11. Mitch McGovern, 12. Tom De Koning, 13. Blake Acres, 14. Orazio Fantasia, 15. Sam Docherty, 16. Jack Carroll, 17. Brodie Kemp, 20. Elijah Hollands, 24. Nic Newman, 28. David Cuningham, 29. George Hewett, 30. Charlie Curnow, 31. Harry Lemmey, 33. Lewis Young, 37. Jordan Boyd, 39. Alex Cincotta, 42. Adam Saad, 43. Ashton Moir, 46. Matthew Cottrell
Notable absentees: Jacob Weitering, Jack Martin, Zac Williams, Jack Silvagni, Sam Walsh, Matthew Kennedy, Caleb Marchbank, Marc Pittonet, Matthew Owies
CATS SQUAD
1. Rhys Stanley, 2. Zach Tuohy, 3. Brandan Parfitt, 4. Tanner Bruhn, 5. Jeremy Cameron, 6. Toby Conway, 7. Shaun Mannagh, 8. Jake Kolodjashnij, 9. Max Holmes, 10. Mitch Knevitt, 12. Jack Bowes, 13. Jhye Clark, 14. Connor O’Sullivan, 15. George Stevens, 16. Sam De Koning, 17. Lawson Humphries, 18. Tyson Stengle, 19. Phoenix Foster, 20. James Willis, 21. Oli Wiltshire, 22. Mitch Duncan, 24. Jed Bews, 26. Tom Hawkins, 28. Oliver Dempsey, 29. Cam Guthrie, 30. Tom Atkins, 31. Oscar Murdoch, 32. Gryan Miers, 33. Shannon Neale, 34. Oisin Mullin, 35. Patrick Dangerfield, 36. Oliver Henry, 38. Jack Henry, 39. Zach Guthrie, 40. Ted Clohesy, 41. Mitch Hardie, 42. Mark O’Connor, 43. Emerson Jeka, 44. Tom Stewart, 45. Brad Close, 46. Mark Blicavs
Notable absentees: Gary Rohan, Mitch Edwards, Joe Furphy
MATCH FORMAT
(eight 20-minute periods. VFL sides to play periods 5-8)
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Source Agencies
