Geelong forward Shaun Mannagh on his road back from injury as he feels he is just scratching the surface

With the majority of his pre-season wiped out by a stress fracture, Shaun Mannagh was forced to return to the all-too-familiar VFL. And his stellar display on the big stage was just reward for his hard work.

Geelong forward Shaun Mannagh says he is “only scratching the surface” of what he can achieve in his second season after steering his side to victory against Hawthorn in his third game back from injury.

Mannagh, 27, snapped through a crucial goal with three minutes on the clock in Geelong’s seven point win to cap a stellar all-round display where he finished with three majors, 17 disposals, nine score involvements, seven tackles and 10 votes from the coaches.

MASSIVE FROM MANNAGH!#AFLCatsHawkspic.twitter.com/EWMEg2SNdh

— AFL (@AFL) April 21, 2025

The Werribee VFL sensation was forced to begin the season back in the all-too familiar state leagues after the majority of his pre-season was wiped out by a stress fracture in his foot.

Signing a one-year contract extension earlier this month, Mannagh feels it was his most complete performance in 2025, but believes he has plenty more left in the tank.

Shaun Mannagh celebrates after his crucial goal. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Three games into this year off a really, really small pre-season so I think I’m only scratching the surface of what I’m going to be able to do for the rest of the year,” Mannagh told this masthead.

“And what the team is as well, I think we are starting to get into our stride and we’ve got a big couple of weeks coming up, so we’ll certainly take the four points.”

The 2024 Norm Goss medallist has certainly done his time in the VFL and shown he is a class above.

Mannagh featured in eight VFL games last year before a six-goal stunner against Sandringham booked him a spot in Geelong’s side.

Mannagh tackles Jarman Impey. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

He proved to be a revelation in the run home and the finals as coach Chris Scott was left to ponder why he didn’t bring him in sooner.

But as Mannagh worked his way back to full fitness, he played a half of a VFL practice match and three quarters in round one

Then a game-breaking three-goal, 23-disposal display against the Northern Bullants got the VFL Cats over the line, and ensured he wouldn’t be back in the VFL anytime soon.

“It’s frustrating (playing VFL), frustrating because we are competitors and we want to be playing at the highest level,” Mannagh said.

“But I had to do that, I had to come back and I still got back pretty early I think. The strength and conditioning team, physios, medical team, did an amazing job with me throughout the whole off-season and pre-season.”

Shaun Mannagh at Cats training in February. Picture: Alison Wynd

Scott said post-match that Mannagh playing well is nothing new and lauded his diligent preparation over the last three months.

“He’s been a really good player for us for a long time. And it’s more than just a honeymoon period, my admiration for him,” Scott said.

“We were so keen to get him back into the team, and we might have sort of held him back a little bit, which is our practice generally, and we’d like to think that holding him back has meant that he’s hit the ground running when he did come into the AFL team.

“His last three months in particular has been a credit to his preparation.”

Mannagh’s role up forward will be even more important in his side’s crunch clash with Carlton on Sunday with distributor Gryan Miers to miss with concussion.

Originally published as Geelong forward Shaun Mannagh on his road back from injury as he feels he is just scratching the surface