Geelong defender Sam De Koning close to return from shoulder injury - though won’t line up against GWS Giants in round 18

A Cats defender is closing in on a return following a month on the sideline with a shoulder injury, while a veteran has also gone under the knife this week.

Geelong defender Sam De Koning is closing in on a return from a shoulder injury. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Geelong coach Chris Scott says the Cats are likely to take a cautious approach to defender Sam De Koning’s return.

De Koning was listed as a test this week after a month-long stint on the sidelines following left shoulder surgery, though Scott confirmed Thursday the 24-year-old wouldn’t return to face GWS Giants this week.

“We’re still working through whether we’d give him some VFL game time, I think that’s unlikely,” Scott said.

“But he’s making really good progress, it was certainly on the table for him to play this week but my sense is we’ll wait a little bit there.

“The fact he was a chance to play this week tells you enough, which is he’s close to being right – it’s more likely an abundance of caution than anything else.”

Tyson Stengles wasn’t on the training track on Thursday, Scott acknowledging there was still uncertainty around personal family issues the small forward is currently working through. However Scott said if there was any chance Stengle was available, they’d name him.

Inside midfielder George Stevens is expected to hold his spot within the squad of 23 after a positive debut against Richmond last round, while Bailey Smith appears a straight swap for the injured Mitch Duncan, who underwent surgery on AC joint on Thursday, though the veteran’s return timeline is unclear.

The Cats will look to arrest a three-game head-to-head losing streak to GWS Giants on the road on Saturday afternoon, with Scott agreeing the Giants would have a level of confidence coming into the game off the back of their record.

But the premiership mentor is of the belief the Cats played poorly against the Giants in recent encounters – something they’re out to change come Saturday.

Reigning Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan kicked seven against the Cats earlier this year, though Scott said his side wasn’t solely focused on stopping Hogan from firing again – pointing to strong Giants’ backline, tall forward line, dangerous smalls and the “best medium forward virtually of his generation” in captain Toby Greene.

He said whichever team got their star forward firing – Hogan for Giants or Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron – would have the “huge advantage”.

Originally published as Geelong defender Sam De Koning close to return from shoulder injury - though won’t line up against GWS Giants in round 18