Geelong duo Mark Blicavs and Mitch Knevitt both push for Gather Round return as untried Cats lauded

Two Cats are right in the mix to return for Geelong’s blockbuster clash — including a popular SuperCoach pick. Plus, a debut might not be far away for a couple of youngsters.

Defender-ruck Mark Blicavs and emerging midfielder Mitch Knevitt are in line to return for Geelong’s Gather Round blockbuster against Adelaide as the Cats consider how to replace their top key defender Jack Henry.

Veteran ruckman Rhys Stanley was a late inclusion for Blicavs (gastro) in Geelong’s win over Melbourne and impressed Cats coach Chris Scott, while Knevitt was managed with a plantar fascia complaint.

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Knevitt, listed as an emergency last Friday night, and Blicavs trained strongly at the Cats’ main session on Tuesday morning, appearing unaffected during match simulation and running.

Mitch Knevitt at Geelong Cats training. Picture: Alison Wynd

The club confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Blicavs and Knevitt have both been cleared as Scott stressed Knevitt would have been in Geelong’s 22 last week if he wasn’t rested.

Ruck-defender Sam De Koning spent the second half in defence against the Demons and shone after Henry’s hamstring injury, which will sideline him for the next three to four weeks.

De Koning trained with the Cats’ midfielders and forwards during match simulation as Blicavs worked with Geelong’s defensive group.

Jake Kolodjashnij gets put through his paces at Geelong Cats training. Picture: Alison Wynd

Cats key defender Jake Kolodjashnij (groin) won’t be risked as he completed sprint work and an agility run early in the session. He did not train with the main group and is set to be sidelined for another 1-2 weeks.

Geelong’s defence faces a much more significant challenge this week up against Adelaide’s trio of tall forwards Riley Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker.

Scott said that Rhys Stanley holding his spot and Blicavs returning in place of Henry was a “logical assumption”, but they would weigh up all contingencies.

Jack Henry on the sidelines at Geelong Cats training. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We had some late issues with Blicavs being crook and Jack Henry, who was in a bit of doubt as well, and we made the pre-emptive call on Mitch Knevitt who would have been in our 22 with a little bit of a foot issue,” Scott said.

“Our feedback is, this is still 48 hours to go, but he (Blicavs) is looking better, so it’s not as obvious as it may seem.

“Still got a few decisions that we need to make.”

“(Henry being out is) a challenge for our stocks, because on balance, I don’t like rating them necessarily, but if you had to choose our best key defender, you’d choose him, based on recent form.

“Not many teams can cover that perfectly, but we do feel we’re reasonably well placed, and if nothing else, it has given us a chance to put a bit more responsibility on Connor O’Sullivan’s shoulders and he’s move than responded to that challenge.”

Young Geelong midfielder Jhye Clark also came out of the side for the Demons clash and performed strongly in the Cats’ VFL curtain-raiser.

Uncapped small forward Oli Wiltshire was another standout with a career-high 23 disposals and two goals, and Scott said the second-year player was becoming difficult to ignore at selection.

Oliver Wiltshire at Geelong Cats training. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I just want to be a little bit cautious of building him up too much. It’s very likely that if he keeps going the way he is, he’ll get his chance,” Scott said.

“But putting undue pressure on guys who are still early in their career… it’s not fair on them when they actually do come in, because they actually deserve a chance to come in and find their way at AFL footy before you expect them to be world beaters.

“He’s been really good, we like what we see. And not every player has the opportunity to impress in this now, but George has something a bit different to the rest of our midfielders, which is going to work in his favour I suspect.

Scott also gave untried 189cm midfielder George Stevens a wrap after his impressive start to the VFL season continued with 27 disposals and 11 clearances against Casey.

“He’s a really big, strong inside mid who can run,” Scott said.

“And again – I just said don’t put pressure on him, I’m going to do it – and he’s an elite kick. So when he gets his chance at AFL footy, you’ll see the big, strong, contested work, but he’s a beautiful user of the ball.

“So we’re excited about his development.”

Originally published as Geelong duo Mark Blicavs and Mitch Knevitt both push for Gather Round return as untried Cats lauded