Mark Blicavs is hopeful Geelong forward Tom Hawkins is ready for Collingwood in AFL season opener

Geelong stars Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan are racing the clock to be ready for round one, with one teammate revealing who could step into their respective spots.

Geelong Cats training

CATS gun Mark Blicavs says he is hopeful veteran forward Tom Hawkins is ready to line up in round one, but conceded the club may take a conservative approach to start the season.

Hawkins had foot surgery in the off-season and has been limited in his preparation during the pre-season, including during Sunday’s open training session at GMHBA Stadium.

Blicavs said there were plenty of forward options if Hawkins was not ready to face Collingwood at the MCG on Friday.

“He’s a chance, he’s been training well, again that’s probably a discussion between him, the medicos and the coaches for what’s best for him this season,” he said.

“I’m not sure if he’ll play or not, but he’s looking good out there and he’s done everything right he needs to in terms of this pre-season to get his foot right after the surgery.

“We’re trying to work with Shannon Neale and a few of these younger boys to come through and be some sort of targets and work forward.

“There will be life after ‘Hawk’ in three, four, 10 years time, whenever it is, and Ollie (Henry) is one too we know if we kick it to him we’ll get a contest and he might win a few more than he loses.”

Ollie Henry looks set to face his old side in round 1.

Prized rookie Jhye Clark spent time away from the group early, running laps and completing sprints before joining in with the rest of the players, with the first-round pick still seemingly battling some ankle soreness sustained in the second half of the Cats’ match simulation against Hawthorn.

Veteran Cats Mitch Duncan and Sam Menegola were not sighted on track as they recover from respective calf and knee issues, with the former flying to Adelaide last week to see a specialist as he races the clock to be fit for round one.

Jhye Clark joined the main session after completing some work away from the group.

Duncan’s potential unavailability may open the door for new Cat Jack Bowes to play against Collingwood off the half back, while former Giant Tanner Bruhn seems to be locked into Geelong’s midfield rotation.

Blicavs said Duncan’s latest disruption would not have an impact on the group as a whole.

“I think that’s a strength of our group and our cog as a whole with the maturity level of the players and the coaches that we can do different things like that and still feel comfortable that the team will function fine and he will be able to function fine,” he said.

“Knowing it’s best for his footy for the year ahead, we’ll be absolutely fine.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen this week, again I’ll let those powers at be decide that, but if he comes back and says he’s right for round one, we’ll be completely fine with that.”

Originally published as Mark Blicavs is hopeful Geelong forward Tom Hawkins is ready for Collingwood in AFL season opener