Geelong rest Connor O’Sullivan, regain Tom Stewart and Rhys Stanley for Bulldogs clash

Geelong have regained two senior players from injury for Thursday night’s blockbuster against the Bulldogs, but a young gun has been managed. See the full teams.

Geelong will regain star defender Tom Stewart for Thursday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.

The vice captain has missed the past three games for the Cats with lingering knee soreness from an injury sustained in round 2.

But Stewart is one of three inclusions for the game being dubbed as the ‘Bailey Smith Cup’, as the star midfielder prepares to face his old club for the first time.

Smith did not train with the main group on Tuesday and was barely sighted again during Wednesday’s captain’s run, but he has been named to play.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said on Wednesday he expected Smith to cope well with the pressure of facing his old side, despite the limited time on the training track.

“He trained, you just didn’t see it. And we had a pretty individual kind of program on that day (Tuesday), so he’s fine,” he said.

“They (Western Bulldogs) can try (two work him over). I use this cricket analogy that in these sort of situations, there are some players that you sledge because it might affect them.

“It’s like, just be really careful, because some players, those sort of sledges can really steal them, and you can have a long, hard day.

Bailey Smith left the track early on Tuesday, but is fit to play. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I’m not saying Bailey is that necessarily, but I’m pretty confident in the small amount of time I’ve spent with him, that the hype and the combativeness is something that energises him.

“I think he needs that, so it’s up to them – they know him better than I do to be frank.”

The Bulldogs made just one change for the clash, bringing in Oskar Baker to replace the injured Arty Jones.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said his side was not planning on giving Smith extra attention, despite the fanfare attached to the contest.

“There’s obviously a combative aspect and a verbal aspect of the game that exists every week no matter who you play – that won’t be any different than it usually is,” he said.

“He’s playing some really influential footy, Bailey, so he’s definitely one of their most significant threats.”

Originally published as Geelong rest Connor O’Sullivan, regain Tom Stewart and Rhys Stanley for Bulldogs clash