Geelong AFLW forward Chloe Scheer to undergo toe surgery

Geelong will be without its leading goal-kicker for a chuck of the upcoming AFLW season, with Chloe Scheer set to undergo surgery. Plus, two mids suffer slight setbacks.

Chloe Scheer is expected to miss part of the AFLW season with a foot injury. Picture: Brad Fleet

Geelong will be without its leading goalkicker Chloe Scheer for up to half of this year’s AFLW season.

The All Australian forward is expected to undergo toe surgery early next week, with Geelong Cats assistant football boss Brett Johnson revealing Scheer had been managed the injury throughout pre-season before the decision was made this week to go under the knife.

Johnson said Scheer was expected to be sidelined for the first half of the 10-week, 11-game season, with the Cats kicking off their campaign against Melbourne on August 31 at GMHBA Stadium.

“After managing the injury throughout the pre-season, the best course of action was to have surgery to ensure that Chloe can launch into the second half of the season as best as she can,” Johnson said.

“She is pivotal for us and we are all behind her on her road back.”

Scheer enjoyed her best season in front of goal in 2023, ranking equal second in the league with 18 goals, before finishing with 20 from 12 games following the Cats’ finals campaign.

The Cats have bolstered their forwards stock with the recruitment of Irishwoman Kate Kenny, while Scheer’s sideline stint could early opportunity given to key position prospect Chantal Mason, who joined the club via the December draft.

Meanwhile, midfielders Georgie Prespakis and Darcy Moloney are expected to be available for round one despite injury setbacks keeping them out of Saturday’s practice match against Essendon.

Prespakis picked up a minor quad strain at training, while Moloney misses with a foot injury.

“(Georgie) is already back running, so things are progressing positively,” Johnson said.

Originally published as Geelong AFLW forward Chloe Scheer to undergo toe surgery