Gary Rohan and Sam Simpson sidelined with injuries ahead of Geelong’s round 1

Injury scares are mounting at Geelong with another Cat to be sidelined through a persistent injury, while a midfielder is also off the track late in pre-season.

Geelong speedster Gary Rohan appears set to miss the start of the AFL season as the Cats closely monitor a back issue that has hampered his pre-season.

Gary Rohan working away at training in January. Picture: Alan Barber

The electrifying forward has not appeared in either of Geelong’s practice matches and is only beginning to ramp up his fitness levels just over a week out from Geelong’s round 1 match-up with Essendon.

Geelong footy boss Simon Lloyd said Rohan’s back “is on the improve” but he is still short of taking part in normal training.

“(We) will give him time he needs and monitor as he increases his loads,” Lloyd said.

The Cats haven’t put a timeline on when he will be able to take the field but the club is often reluctant to do so with injuries.

The 30-year-old also had minor knee surgery to remove a screw over the off-season.

Sam Simpson has been forced to the sidelines. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Midfielder Sam Simpson is also sidelined after he copped a head knock at training, with the Cats to give him time to recover.

The 19-game Cat has battled injuries throughout his career and has not played more than nine matches in an AFL season since being drafted as a rookie before the 2017 season.

He was at the centre of a horrific collision with teammate Sam Menegola in the 2020 grand final that left Simpson to be carried from the field with concussion.

Gary Rohan didn’t make an impact in the preliminary final. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Rohan too has been hit by injuries throughout his 12-year career, with the 21 games he played in 2021 the most he has put together in one campaign.

Despite being a threat through the early rounds last year, Rohan again had a September to forget, capped off by a one-possession effort in Geelong’s crushing preliminary final loss to Melbourne.

Rohan was used in defence during Geelong’s qualifying final loss to Port Adelaide, with the Cats likely to explore his ability to intercept mark at times this season, with his position in a crowded forward line that features the likes of Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, Esava Ratugolea and now Tyson Stengle in doubt.

Geelong kicks off its season on March 19 against Essendon at the MCG.

Originally published as Gary Rohan and Sam Simpson sidelined with injuries ahead of Geelong’s round 1