Geelong forward Gryan Miers’ concussion timeline remains unclear as Cats explain late outs

Geelong has shed light on Gryan Miers after his concussion, while the Cats have clarified two late outs from the weekend.

Geelong forward Gryan Miers will miss at least a week with concussion after his brutal blow from Hawthorn player Conor Nash, with his return-to-play timeline remaining unclear.

Miers was subbed out in the third quarter of Geelong’s win over Hawthorn after Nash struck the silky Cat in the head with a swinging arm.

The running machine appeared groggy as he walked off the MCG in the hands of trainers, but the silky forward told coach Chris Scott he felt “fine” post-match.

The AFL’s concussion protocols will sideline him this weekend, but the Cats’ clash with Collingwood in round eight falls exactly 12 days after Easter Monday.

It means Miers will be eligible to play via the AFL’s concussion protocols if he passes all medical requirements.

Gryan Miers was helped from the ground by trainers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Gryan has entered the AFL’s concussion protocol following an incident in the third quarter of Monday’s game. We will know more around his possible return timeline as he progresses through the graded return to play protocol,” Geelong football manager Andrew Mackie said.

Ted Clohesy shapes as the frontrunner to take Miers’ spot in the 22 after he came in as a late inclusion for Oisin Mullin as the subsitute.

Scott has praised uncapped forward Oli Wiltshire in the past month following his strong start to the VFL season. He kicked a classy running goal and finished with two goals against Box Hill, but was relatively quiet with six touches.

Important defender Jack Henry could return from a hamstring injury as soon as next week, listed as 1-3 weeks away with his hamstring injury.

Mullin will face a test this week after he became Geelong’s fifth consecutive late change with hip soreness.

Scott stressed post-match that the decision was made right on the final-team deadline – an hour from the first bounce – by the Cats’ medical staff.

“Oisin had some hip soreness while warming up for the game against Hawthorn and we decided to take a cautious approach and withdraw him from the game. He will train this week and will be a test to play Carlton,” Mackie said.

Jake Kolodjashnij was set to make his return from a groin injury in the VFL last Sunday but was pulled out with a back concern.

The premiership defender is poised to play in the VFL against Carlton this weekend.

“Jake was available to play in the VFL last Sunday, however had low back pain on the morning of the game and it was decided to give him an additional week off. He is set to return via the VFL this weekend against Carlton,” Mackie said.

Mackie confirmed that first-year duo Xavier Ivisic and Keighton Matofai-Forbes are tipped to make their debut for Geelong VFL against the Blues.

“Xavier has completed his rehabilitation after a right syndesmosis injury, while Keighton has completed a conditioning block after an interrupted pre-season,” Mackie said.

Originally published as Geelong forward Gryan Miers’ concussion timeline remains unclear as Cats explain late outs