AFL 2024: Geelong gives update on Patrick Dangerfield’s injury as two midfielders in mix to return

Geelong has shed light on the extent of Patrick Dangerfield’s injury. Meanwhile, they should get some relief with a trio of midfielders in the frame.

Geelong has given an update on Patrick Dangerfield’s injury. Picture: Getty Images

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield will be sidelined for a fortnight after the hamstring injury he sustained against Adelaide last Friday as a midfield trio are in the frame to return on Easter Monday.

Dangerfield was subbed out of the match late in their win over the Crows, with his setback a clear blow for the Cats after a strong start to the season for the ageing superstar.

The Brownlow medallist had 23 disposals, eight tackles and four clearances against his former side after his matchwinning season-opener in their win over St Kilda.

Geelong assistant football boss Brett Johnson is hopeful the 33-year-old will only miss their next two matches against Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.

“Patrick injured his hamstring late in the game on Friday night, it’s a low-grade hamstring injury,” assistant football manager Johnson said.

“We expect ‘Danger’ to only miss two weeks, so we look forward to getting him back on the park soon.”

Patrick Dangerfield will miss the next fortnight. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

But the Cats will get immediate midfield relief for their clash with the Hawks, welcoming back Jack Bowes (calf cork) and Tom Atkins (adductor).

Bowes did not feature in either of Geelong’s first two matches after a strong pre-season, while Atkins was a late withdrawal against the Crows after failing a fitness test in the warm-up.

Atkins, 28, took part in light running at Cats training on Tuesday but came off the track shortly after.

Emerging midfielder Tanner Bruhn (foot) remains a test after being close to facing the Crows last week, with Johnson saying he is “looking good”.

Bruhn also did not take part in drills in Geelong’s skills session on Tuesday.

“Tom was really close (to playing), he just had a real low-grade adductor injury that we didn’t want to risk. We expect him to train fully tomorrow (Wednesday) and be available to play,” Johnson said.

“Jack has been recovering from that calf contusion (cork). Again, he is the same as Tom: if he trains fully tomorrow, we expect him to be available.”

“Tanner is looking good. He’s had that mid-foot sprain, so we’re being cautious with that. He was a test late last week and didn’t get up, so he’ll be the same again for this week.”

Two-time Carji Greeves medallist Cam Guthrie remains at least a month away with his quad injury he suffered during Geelong’s first pre-season game, while Gary Rohan will be sidelined for another 2-4 weeks with a back complaint.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong gives update on Patrick Dangerfield’s injury as two midfielders in mix to return