AFL 2024: Geelong to blood top pick Connor O’Sullivan as Patrick Dangerfield misses another week

Geelong will blood its first pick from last year’s draft against North Melbourne, and the Cats have made a call on Patrick Dangerfield.

Gary Rohan could be used in a different position in his return. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Geelong top pick Connor O’Sullivan will make his AFL debut against North Melbourne on Sunday as the Cats made the call to rest captain Patrick Dangerfield for another week.

O’Sullivan, the No.11 selection from the 2023 AFL Draft, firmed as an early debutant after a strong pre-season but began his season in the reserves, where he has averaged 14 disposals, six marks and three tackles.

The athletic 198cm tall played in defence and even on a wing during the pre-season but has been named in the backline for his first game.

O’Sullivan is one of three inclusions to Geelong’s extended squad along with Shannon Neale and Shaun Mannagh.

Coach Chris Scott said earlier on Thursday that Patrick Dangerfield was looking good but that they would err on the side of caution.

Connor O’Sullivan will make his debut for the Cats. Picture: Brad Fleet

“We’ve been clear that we will be conservative in (Dangerfield’s) return. And we’re still thinking that way, but starting to get to the point where we’re struggling to come up with reasons for him not to play,” Scott said before training on Thursday.

Tom Atkins, Jack Bowes, Jhye Clark, Zach Guthrie, Mark O’Connor, Jake Kolodjashinij, have been named on an extended bench alongside Neale and Mannagh.

Scott expected both Tuohy (ankle) and Jake Kolodjashnij (quad) to be available after both picked up minor niggles in their win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

Surprise switch looms for Cats veteran

Geelong coach Chris Scott has flagged a possible role change for veteran forward Gary Rohan ahead of his return from injury this weekend.

Rohan, 32, has recovered from a back issue that has hampered him since the pre-season and Scott confirmed he will face the Northern Bullants on Sunday as he gains valuable match practice and fitness.

But he is set to be trialled in another position with Geelong’s forward line starting the season strongly.

Scott was coy on the potential experiment, but he hinted it was a role the speedster familiar with – and Rohan was used off halfback at stages during his time at his former club Sydney.

Gary Rohan in action a training. Picture: Alison Wynd

“He is going to play this weekend which is really exciting for us. But we are not in a position to sort of forecast exactly how he’s going to come back into the AFL team,” Scott said.

“I think my position, at least internally, is really clear on him: when he’s up and going and really ready to play well, he’ll be in our team somewhere, but our forward line is looking pretty stable at the moment, which is always a priority for us.

“So we will just need to think about how he comes back through the VFL program and he’ll play some different positions as well, so that will give us some options. We’re not pigeonholing him as a forward necessarily.

“If anything, we’re kind of going back to a position that he’s had a bit of experience with in the past.”

Scott has been buoyed by the recovery of two-time best-and-fairest winner Cameron Guthrie, whose return from a quad blow is “imminent”.

Dangerfield took part in drills at training on Thursday and was moving well as Zach Tuohy (ankle) jogged laps.

Patrick Dangerfield at Cats training on Thursday. Picture: Alison Wynd

Zach Tuohy ran laps. Picture: Alison Wynd

“He’s (Guthrie) looking really good and his return is imminent, but it’s likely that we’ll just hold him back a little bit longer than he might have otherwise needed,” Scott said.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong to blood top pick Connor O’Sullivan as Patrick Dangerfield misses another week