Sam De Koning to miss at least three games with shoulder injury

A Geelong defender will be sidelined for at least three games as a young midfielder suffers concussion for the second time in a month.

Geelong’s Jhye Clark battles for the ball with Brisbane’s Bruce Reville in Round 3. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Geelong has confirmed defender Sam De Koning will be sidelined for up to five weeks with a shoulder injury as a young midfielder enters concussion protocols for the second time in a month.

De Koning was subbed out of Saturday’s match against Essendon and underwent surgery on his AC joint on Monday.

On Tuesday, the club confirmed the 24-year-old would be a four to five week proposition.

Fortunately for the Cats, Geelong has a bye next weekend and faces bottom four teams Richmond and St Kilda in its next block of four matches.

Meanwhile, young midfielder Jhye Clark has gone through concussion protocols for the second time following an incident in the Cats’ VFL match against Werribee on Saturday.

Sam De Koning was subbed out of the Essendon game with a shoulder injury. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Image.

Clark also suffered concussion last month in a state league match against Port Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Cam Guthrie’s return to the field has been delayed by another week with calf tightness.

The club’s executive general manager, Andrew Mackie, said the 32-year-old had started running again after experiencing tightness against the Gold Coast Suns in the VFL on June 8.

“We will use the upcoming bye period to increase his training loads, and we expect him to be available to return against Richmond VFL after our bye,” Mackie said.

Premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij will undergo a minor procedure to help manage his ongoing groin issues.

“His current return to play timeline will become clearer once he starts his recovery and begins to increase his training loads,” Mackie said.

It comes as young ruckman Mitch Edwards will be a test to play his first game of the season after recovering from injury and completing an extensive conditioning program.

Originally published as Sam De Koning to miss at least three games with shoulder injury