Injury-hit Geelong duo Jack Martin and Cam Guthrie make promising returns in the VFL
Geelong could be bolstered in the coming weeks after two ageing stars made encouraging returns in the VFL. Plus, several mid-season draft prospects had their last chance to press their claims.
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Forgotten Geelong duo Cam Guthrie and Jack Martin made successful returns through the VFL on Friday night, with both injury-riddled stars showing encouraging signs in a half of gametime.
A troublesome Achilles injury has restricted Guthrie to just one VFL game – Geelong’s semi-final loss to Southport – since round 10 of last season and the 32-year-old has managed just 10 AFL appearances since the Cats’ 2022 grand final triumph.
Martin, 30, played managed minutes in two pre-season VFL practices matches but hadn’t taken the field since.
The Cats have carefully managed his body after a series of soft tissue injuries in recent years, including last season where he played just three senior games.
Both ageing stars were prominent in the first half of Geelong VFL’s loss to Footscray at Whitten Oval before being rested after halftime.
Martin collected 17 disposals and seven marks and provided his usual class in a halfback role, while impressive sidestepping goal was the highlight of Guthrie’s return as he hit the target with 10 of his 11 disposals.
Welcome back Cam! 🤩 #WeAreGeelongpic.twitter.com/DuUlXsS0tE
— Geelong VFL (@GeelongVFL) May 23, 2025
The pair would be welcome additions to Geelong’s senior side given their immense talent, but the club is sure to continue its cautious approach given their history.
Martin and Guthrie on multiple occasions in the first quarter in defence as Martin amassed 11 first quarter possessions and looked to cut the angles and link-up through the middle.
Guthrie looked shaky at times below his knees after his long lay-off, giving up a goal in the second quarter when he was unable to pick up the ball off the ground and went to ground.
But he made up for it soon after at the other end when he recovered from a fumble to shimmy a Dogs defender and slot a goal from 40 metres – much to the delight of his Cats teammates who swamped him.
The dual Carji Greeves medallist also showed his evasiveness earlier in the second quarter when he gathered a bouncing ball along the boundary line and dodged ed past a tackler while he kept the ball in play.
Young midfielder Mitch Knevitt came on in the second half for his return after a month out with a plantar fascia issue and provided a presence at the coalface with nine touches, seven contested possessions, five tackles and three clearances.
Charlie McCartin had a mixed game in his final audition to AFL clubs ahead of Wednesday’s mid-season draft, bobbing up to kick his first VFL goal on the stroke of halftime and finishing with 14 touches, six intercepts and five marks.
The key back had some promising defensive moments, including a strong contested mark deep in defence, but his positioning remains a work in progress.
Fellow mid-season hopeful Kobe George had 10 touches and five intercepts as the Cats’ 23rd man and former Collingwood swingman Nathan Kreuger started in defence before moving into attack in the second half and kicking two majors.
Tobyn Murray, who was on the radar of AFL clubs ahead of the mid-season draft last year, was named as Geelong’s best player with 23 disposals, seven score involvements and two goals.
Geelong’s round 11 substitute Ted Clohesy produced another strong VFL performance with 22 disposals, 16 contested possessions, eight tackles and five clearances, and young wingman Patrick Retschko caught the eye with 20 disposals, five marks and five clearances.
Uncapped midfielder George Stevens (19 disposals) Oli Wiltshire (16 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal) were both solid.
For the Bulldogs, Jedd Busslinger continues to push for a recall with 26 disposals, 13 intercepts and six marks, Anthony Scott and Caleb Poulter both kicked 2.2 and had more than 20 touches., Cooper Hynes had 25 disposals and seven score involvements..
Dropped key defender Liam Jones was strong early and finished with 17 touches and 12 marks as first-year Dog Josh Dolan kicked two goals from 16 possessions.
Footscray’s 23rd player Fred Valpied was lively with three goals and 13 touches in his second VFL game.
Originally published as Injury-hit Geelong duo Jack Martin and Cam Guthrie make promising returns in the VFL
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