By Peter Ryan
Tanner Bruhn and Bailey Smith will not play for the Cats against Essendon in the opening match of the community series at GMHBA Stadium on Tuesday night, while the Bombers will be without defender Mason Redman for the final hit-out.
Bruhn has a finger injury that could require surgery while the Cats decided to manage Smith after he experienced knee soreness after his first game against opposition for 18 months last Monday.
Geelong midfielders Tanner Bruhn (left) and Bailey Smith will miss the practice match against Essendon.Credit: Getty Images
Jack Martin remains sidelined after playing in a VFL practice game last week, while premiership ruckman Rhys Stanley has been named as an emergency, with Sam De Koning named in the ruck. Shaun Mannagh remains sidelined as he recovers from a foot injury.
Geelong’s Lawson Humphries and Tyson Stengle and Essendon’s Jade Gresham will return after playing in the Indigenous All-Stars game.
Essendon’s Redman has been managed as he recovers from a knock he copped against the Western Bulldogs, while defender Ben McKay, Sam Durham and Jordan Ridley are playing their first match for the season after missing match simulation.
The Cats are due to play the Brisbane Lions in the opening match of the season at the Gabba on March 6 and Essendon begin against the Gold Coast on March 8.
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