AFL Round 4 injury news: Geelong duo Tom Stewart and Shannon Neale face fitness tests ahead of Melbourne clash

Shannon Neale underwent scans on his ankle, while Tom Stewart was a late withdrawal against the Cats, Will they both face Melbourne on Friday night?

Geelong star Tom Stewart and key forward Shannon Neale face fitness tests ahead of the Cats’ important clash against Melbourne on Friday night.

Neale came off in the first term with an ankle complaint but played out the game, with scans ruling out serious injury.

Stewart was named in the selected side to face Brisbane but was a late withdrawal an hour before the game, with football boss Andrew Mackie saying he will continue to be monitored.

Shannon Neale went off with an ankle injury in the first term. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We decided to withdraw Tom before the game on Saturday as a precaution and we are optimistic on his availability ahead of Friday night. With two sessions remaining for the week, we will continue to monitor him ahead of Friday,” Mackie said.

“Shannon irritated his right ankle in the first quarter of the game against Brisbane and managed to play out the game. Scans have ruled out any serious injury and he will be a test to play Melbourne on Friday night.”

Key back Jake Kolodjashnij (groin) will spend another 1-2 weeks on the sidelines.

Recruit Jack Martin has been listed as (TBC) after first being withdrawn from Geelong’s VFL season-opener a fortnight ago.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said last week that Martin was “quite a way away” from AFL selections as the Cats carefully manage the 30-year-old.

The Cats now have 14 players on their injury list and have just six AFL-listed players in its VFL side over the weekend after Mark O’Connor, Mitch Duncan and Oli Wiltshire heading to Brisbane as travelling emergencies.

Originally published as AFL Round 4 injury news: Geelong duo Tom Stewart and Shannon Neale face fitness tests ahead of Melbourne clash