AFL 2024: Geelong premiership forward Gary Rohan to be sidelined after injury setback

A Geelong premiership player has suffered another injury blow, while there is a promising update on Cameron Guthrie.

Geelong premiership forward Gary Rohan will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a back injury.

The Cats said the Rohan has been troubled by the issue over the pre-season, with the 32-year-old not featuring in either pre-season game and regularly sitting out main training.

Geelong assistant football boss Brett Johnson said he has encountered “neural irritation” with the blow and would be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

Cats assistant Steven King had said Rohan would “struggle” to be fit for round one after their official practice match against Essendon, but last month football boss Andrew Mackie was hopeful he wouldn’t be sidelined for long.

Rohan has battled injury issues throughout his 192-game career with Sydney and Geelong, never playing a full season and managing just 27 of a possible 48 matches in the past two seasons.

His setback could open the door for seven-game forward Oliver Dempsey after an eye-catching pre-season where he showcased his exceptional leap and workrate around the ground.

Gary Rohan will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Picture: Brad Fleet

Two-time best-and-fairest winner Cameron Guthrie will be sidelined for another 6-8 weeks with his quad tendon injury but Johnson said is recovering well.

Exciting forward Oliver Henry, who missed their clash with Essendon after rolling his ankle, appears set to face St Kilda on Saturday night.

“As everyone knows, Cam injured his quad tendon against Carlton in the practice match. We feel that’s an eight-week injury. But Cam, as you would imagine, he’s progressing really well with his rehab, his attention to detail and professionalism is first class, so we’re looking forward to Cam coming back in when he’s ready to have an impact,” Johnson said.

“Gary is tracking okay. He has been hampered by a back issue over the course of the pre-season. He’s got some neural irritation which is starting to settle, but as that settles we’ll need to gradually build up his loads again.

“We anticipate that taking four-to-six weeks, and that is to give Gary the best chance of performing well when he’s ready to come back in to join the team.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong premiership forward Gary Rohan to be sidelined after injury setback