All the news as Geelong prepares for Western Bulldogs test
Geelong is waiting for a diagnosis on Rhys Stanley’s injured knee as ruck closes in on a debut ahead of a blockbuster against the Western Bulldogs.
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Geelong ruck Rhys Stanley is set for scans on his injured knee as Jonathon Ceglar closes in on a club debut in Saturday night’s blockbuster clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Subbed out for Shannon Neale at the start of the third term in a pulsating win over Port Adelaide, Stanley’s knee was due to be assessed as the Cats made their way back from Adelaide on Sunday.
Cats coach Chris Scott labelled the injury post-match as “medium term” and that he expected Stanley to miss multiple weeks but Geelong was keen on Sunday to wait for scan results to know more.
A medium-term injury could potentially sideline Stanley for the final four weeks of the home-and-away season.
The in-form ruck had eight clearances in the first half against the Power and the Cats midfield crashed without him in the third term, as Jeremy Finlayson dominated Neale in the ruck and inspired an eight-goal quarter.
While Stanley has been in excellent touch in 2022 and is likely having his best AFL season, the Cats are flush with options to fill his role against the Dogs and rising ruck star Tim English.
Ceglar has played two VFL games after undergoing foot surgery early in the season and has shown strong form, with the Cats reserves having a bye over the weekend.
The former Hawk is likely to replace Stanley, although Esava Ratugolea is also fit after ankle surgery, Geelong is keen to get experience into draftee tall Toby Conway and Neale bounced back in the final term to play a role in the Power win.
Midfielder Tom Atkins backed Neale in and said he was impressed by the youngster’s effort in the final quarter against Port Adelaide.
“To Shannon Neale’s credit, he came on at a tough time and gave us a great effort in that last quarter,” Atkins said.
“He really brought the ball to ground and it was really impressive for such a young guy.”
Geelong has wanted to get a look at Ceglar at AFL level before finals and Scott put him at the top of a list of options to replace Stanley.
“Ceglar is back and has played a couple of games in the VFL, same for Ratugolea and Shannon Neale came in and he is a ruckman-type,” Scott said.
“I think it’s those three guys we will be thinking about over the next couple of weeks.
“We do have options, which is not always the case.”
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