Gary Ablett must get through training next week to ensure he is right to go for Round 1

GARY Ablett seems destined for a Round 1 return in Geelong colours as the Cats prepare for a Melbourne ambush next week. What else does Gaz have to do to get the all clear?

GARY Ablett seems destined for a Round 1 return in Geelong colours as the Cats prepare for a Melbourne ambush next week.

The Cats champion effortlessly passed his first test by getting through match simulation at training on Friday.

As flagged by Geelong captain Joel Selwood, Ablett, 33, now must survive sessions next Wednesday and Friday.

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The dual premiership onballer showed no signs of his hamstring injury during a one-hour match simulation session.

Now he can look forward to a clash with Melbourne, a club filthy with their Round 23 exit last year and mocked relentlessly for aborting a summer training camp.

Selwood this week told the Herald Sun the Cats were aware Melbourne would come out breathing fire.

“The way they finished last year, they would want to get the season rolling and we have heard it is driving them to go to the next level,’’ he said. “We will have to be ready.”

Nakia Cockatoo (calf) and Stewart Crameri (hip) played in a VFL practice match on Friday night but seem less likely Round 1 prospects than Ablett.

Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring) and Rhys Stanley (calf) have not been ruled out, but are also unlikely.

Gary Ablett in action at Geelong training. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver should be fit despite another day out of the main group at training. He was sore from a knock to the knee in the second JLT game but the Demons say he will take on the Cats.

Selwood said he was thrilled Ablett was so content with his move back to Geelong and hopeful he would maintain his smile after a tough few years.

“That is pleasing for me and it’s a challenging going forward that we have to keep it that way,” Selwood said. “At the age of 33 he’s been doing this for a long time. Right now I am seeing him really happy and that’s when he will play his best footy.”

Selwood collected three premiership medals in his first five seasons as the Cats established a premiership dynasty from 2007-2011 and is greedy for more.

“There are different reasons I want to win it now,” he said. “Guys have come from other clubs that I want to win it for. the kids who are coming through who deserve to feel that feeling.”