St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary could play against Port Adelaide in Shanghai

After seeing images of Jarryn Geary’s mutilated leg, you could have been forgiven for thinking he’d be out for the rest of the season. But then, you would have underestimated the St Kilda captain’s steely determination.

St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary could face Port Adelaide in Shanghai. Picture: AAP

Jarryn Geary will take on one last training session in Shanghai today before the “determined bugger” is ticked off to make his speedy return to football.

Sunday’s game will mark just 43 days since Geary underwent his first of three surgeries to relieve compartment syndrome in his quad, sustained following a heavy knock in the Saints’ Round 5 win over Melbourne on April 20 at the MCG.

Early estimations had considered Geary to potentially be sidelined for 10 or more weeks, but the courageous skipper was having none of that, eyeing the China showdown with Port Adelaide as a potential return date as soon as the procedure was complete.

St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary could face Port Adelaide in Shanghai. Picture: AAP

“It was probably something that I ended up aiming for, because when the guy said he was going to cut me open, I really wanted some clarity about how long it was going to take,” Geary said in Shanghai on Thursday.

“I didn’t really want to go down that path until I knew the extent of how long it was going to be.

“We just wanted 100 per cent certainty — that that was what was required — before he did it.”

Geary — who did a gym session as his teammates made the journey to China — said the operation was not only to ensure a return date as soon as possible, but his footballing future.

“If you don’t get it done, then you risk long-term injury,” he said.

“The longer you don’t do it, the more likely you’ll be out for longer, because you’ll get muscle damage.”

Coach Alan Richardson said the comeback could only be described as “remarkable”.

“I wouldn’t have thought he’d be back so soon, but the surgery went really well and his rehab has gone quicker than expected,” he said.

“He’s a determined bugger. It’s great to have our captain back.

READY TO GO: GEARY WANTS POWER IN SHANGHAI

Geary acts as the Saints defensive marshal when fit. Picture: Michael Klein

“(The surgery going seamlessly) just meant he was able to get running a lot more quickly … it was always spoken about, this sort of period, but we thought that would be optimistic. He’s had no hiccups the whole way through, and he’s ready to go.”

Geary, who was sidelined as the team’s ledger went from 4-1 to 5-5 ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Power, said the players had rallied to ensure they didn’t become “a frustrated footy team”.

And it’s meant challenging some.

CONFRONTING: GEARY OPENS UP ON HORROR INJURY

“We’ve probably played 75 per cent of games to our structure against the good teams, which is not enough,” he said.

“The conversation with the boys is we’re just going to become a frustrated footy team if we only play 75 per cent of games and don’t win.

“We’re only costing ourselves.

“It’s more about ‘what are we going to do now? Who’s it going to be?

“We need more individuals to respond and have 22 blokes really contribute every week.

“When we perform well and win, we have even contributions — we don’t have four or five blokes standing up and ripping the game apart.

“We play best when it’s as a team.”

As Dan Hannebery prepares to make a comeback in the VFL, his captain is on track to return against the Power. Picture: AAP

Meanwhile, recruit Dan Hannebery could make his St Kilda debut after the bye.

The former Swan will return to football in the VFL this weekend after enduring a horror run of injuries.

“Our guys are really confident he’s done the work. We’ve been really slow with Hanners … it was a little bit frustrating for everyone early, given that he did a fair bit of training pre-Christmas and it was looking positive,” St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said.

“He had a lot of setbacks then, so it was decided that we’re going to go slow and get this right.

“He’s done a lot of work, so we’re really confident that he’ll get through.”

Richardson said the former Sydney star “will know” how many games at state level he needs.

“He’s such an experienced player. If he plays well and has a real understanding of what we’re doing and he’s really confident in his body, then I wouldn’t think Hanners would take too long,” he said.

“It could take a month to get two games … but I think he’ll come to hand pretty quick.”

Can recruit Dan Hannebery have an impact for the Saints in 2019. Picture: AFL Photos

The Saints sit 5-5 ahead of this Sunday’s meeting with Port Adelaide at China’s Jiangwan Stadium, and Richardson said his players were excited by the opportunity.

“It’s a big game for both clubs — both games are 5-5, we have a bye after this so to go in positive, it gives us a really good launch pad into the back half of the year,” he said.

The match is St Kilda’s first in China, while Port Adelaide has taken on Gold Coast there in the last two years.

The Saints have a number of players — including forward Matty Parker — who until now have not travelled overseas, but Richardson said the team was adequately prepared for its maiden Shanghai outing.

“We think (the heat training we’ve done) is going to help in terms of getting them somewhat prepared. That’ll be difficult to go from 10 degrees to playing at 27 to 30 depending on what it ends up being,” he said.

“We’re a fit group — we’re a good running group. So are they, but I think we’re as ready as we can be.”