Geelong utility Mark O’Connor ruled out for the season with wrist injury as Tom Stewart set to be available

A Geelong premiership player has suffered a setback, but the news is better for one of their biggest stars.

Mark O'Connor has undergone surgery. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong premiership player Mark O’Connor will miss the rest of the season as Cats star Tom Stewart is set to be available for their preliminary final clash.

O’Connor, 27, went under the knife on Monday to repair ligament damage in his right wrist.

The utility had been a senior regular in Chris Scott's side but has managed only 13 senior games this year, and hasn’t featured at AFL level since starting as the substitute against Essendon in round 16.

The Irishman played in Geelong’s VFL qualifying final against Werribee but wasn’t picked for their loss to Southport on Saturday due to injury.

Meanwhile, Stewart, who the club said missed the Cats’ barnstorming win over Port Adelaide with illness, is expected to be back for their next match against either GWS or Brisbane.

Coach Chris Scott conceded post-match that Stewart may not have faced the Power regardless of the illness due to the hamstring injury he was subbed out with in round 24.

Mark O'Connor will miss the rest of the season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“Mark underwent successful surgery and will take no further part in our Finals campaign, we look forward to seeing him back out on the track and ready to go for a full pre-season,” Geelong assistant general manager of football Brett Johnson said.

Forward Gary Rohan’s return from a fractured skull, suffered in the opening minutes of their VFL clash with Southport, remains unclear but he was ruled out of their preliminary final match-up on Monday.

Geelong retiring champion Tom Hawkins and luckless midfielder Cam Guthrie both made returns in the VFL, with Guthrie the best of the pair with 19 touches, eight tackles and a goal.

Hawkins had a few opportunities but finished with 10 touches and 1.3, the highlight a trademark snap out of a ruck contest in the first term.

Tall Sam De Koning showed some good signs in his second game back from a knee injury playing primarily in the ruck.

Originally published as Geelong utility Mark O’Connor ruled out for the season with wrist injury as Tom Stewart set to be available