Tom Hawkins still a chance to play for Geelong in round 1 as Jake Kolodjashnij suffers concussion

Tom Hawkins has been ruled out several times from playing in round 1 yet the superstar himself hasn’t lost hope. But a teammate has picked up a fresh knee concern.

Tom Hawkins could brush off a foot injury by round 1. Picture: Brad Fleet

The door remains open for champion goalkicker Tom Hawkins to line up for Geelong against Collingwood in round 1.

The superstar forward had been written off in some corners after off-season foot surgery but has been running for several weeks and joined in Cats training last week.

Jake Kolodjashnij is helped from the field after knocking his head. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Defender Jake Kolodjashnij could also be free to play against the Magpies on March 17 despite being concussed in Thursday night’s practice match against Brisbane.

Should Kolodjashnij not suffer any further symptoms, he will serve the 12 day mandatory AFL period and be cleared in the days before Geelong’s season opener.

Geelong footy boss Simon Lloyd said Hawkins was a live chance to play in front of a potential 90,000-strong crowd at the MCG against Collingwood.

But the Cats will not rush the star to a round 1 berth and may hold him and fellow veteran Mitch Duncan (calf) back another week.

Mitch Duncan (middle) is working through a calf complaint. Picture: Alan Barber

“(Hawkins) had a really strong block of training last week and was involved in a lot of our main training session and was moving well,” Lloyd said.

“We will just see how he progresses over the next two weeks. We have said this all along and it applies to Mitch Duncan … we will do what is best for both Tom and Mitch and if it is round 1 it is round 1, and it is round 3 or round 2, so be it.”

Hawkins himself said last month that “in my mind I’m aiming to play round 1, whether or not that happens I’m not sure.”

Midfielder Sam Menegola was named in Geelong’s squad to face the Lions but didn’t play after feeling knee soreness following match simulation against Hawthorn a week earlier.

Menegola has battled through knee issues in recent years and will be assessed next week.

Utility Mark Blicavs also sat out the Lions game after a bout of gastro, while recruit Jack Bowes is working through some soreness.

Sam Menegola (left) felt knee soreness after playing against Hawthorn. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“Jack Bowes travelled up with us to the Gold Coast and has some general body soreness at the moment so we decided not to play him,” Lloyd said.

Jeremy Cameron and Isaac Smith are fit and firing despite skipping the Lions loss, while young ruck Toby Conway (foot) and tall Shannon Neale (ankle) remain sidelined.

Originally published as Tom Hawkins still a chance to play for Geelong in round 1 as Jake Kolodjashnij suffers concussion