AFL injury news: Geelong stars Bailey Smith and Tom Stewart face tests ahead of Brisbane clash
Bailey Smith and Jack Martin were both late withdrawals, while Tom Stewart was subbed out over the weekend. And there is an update on the trio after the Cats’ training on Tuesday.
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Geelong stars Bailey Smith and Tom Stewart face fitness test ahead of the Cats’ important clash against Brisbane on Saturday night the pair have taken promising steps towards a return.
The Cats conservatively withdrew Smith, 24, with calf soreness ahead of their clash with St Kilda, but the blistering midfielder completed a session on Monday and was out on the track briefly on Tuesday morning.
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Stewart (knee) completed running early in Tuesday’s training session in his bid to face the Lions.
Stewart was subbed out of the Cats’ upset loss to the Saints after his knee jammed into the Marvel Stadium turf, and scans on Monday confirmed he had been cleared of serious damage.
Geelong train again on Thursday ahead of the Saturday night clash and Mackie said Smith and Stewart will continue to be assessed.
“Bailey was a late withdrawal ahead of the Saints game after experiencing calf soreness. We took a conservative approach and will continue to monitor Bailey throughout the week before we make a call on his availability,” Mackie said.
“With one more session before we head to Brisbane, Tom will be closely monitored before making a call at selection.”
Free agency signing Jack Martin will be a test for the VFL this week after he was withdrawn as a precaution with low level calf tightness ahead of Geelong’s VFL win over Sandringham on Sunday.
The Cats have taken a cautious approach with the injury-riddled playmaker since he joined the club in late October, and he showed promise as a centre bounce midfielder the previous week in a VFL practice match.
Lively forward Shaun Mannagh completed a full-game in the VFL on Sunday as overlooked veteran Mitch Duncan put his hand up for a recall with 24 disposals and eight marks.
Jake Kolodjashnij (groin) remains 1-3 weeks away from a return.
Lenny Hofmann is the latest 2024 draftee to be added to Geelong’s injury list after a scan showed low-grade bone stress in his back, joining Jacob Molier (hamstring, 1-3 weeks), Keighton Matofai-Forbes (management, 2-3) and Xavier Ivisic (ankle, 2-4).
Jed Bews is 6-10 weeks away with his finger injury while Toby Conway (back), Cam Guthrie (Achilles), Tanner Bruhn (finger) and Mitch Edwards (pelvis) are all listed as TBC.
Conway rucked up against Edwards at training on Tuesday but the Cats will continue to be cautious with both talls.
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Originally published as AFL injury news: Geelong stars Bailey Smith and Tom Stewart face tests ahead of Brisbane clash
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