Geelong Round 1 injury list: Cats defenders Jake Kolodjashnij and Jed Bews sidelined

Geelong has been hit by two injuries to its defence on the eve of its season-opener, meaning a youngster is in prime position. Plus, a lively forward will take the field this weekend. See Geelong’s full injury list.

Two Geelong premiership defenders are facing stints on the sidelines as Shaun Mannagh will return through the VFL this weekend.

Kolodjashnij has been managing groin soreness and will be unavailable for the next three weeks, while stopper Jed Bews will miss 8-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on a finger tendon injury.

It is better news for 27-year-old Mannagh who has returned to full training and will play in Geelong’s VFL practice match on Saturday morning instead of the Cats’ AFL season-opener against Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium

Mannagh, who was a revelation at the back-end of his first AFL campaign, has been sidelined for most of the pre-season with a foot stress injury.

Shaun Mannagh will play in the VFL. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Over the last two weeks (Kolodjashnij’s) loading has progressed well however he will be unavailable for selection for the next three weeks,” Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie said.

“Jed has sustained a right fifth finger tendon injury. He has had surgery to repair the tendon and is currently in a splint and recovering well”

Kolodjashnij’s injury in particular could open the door for second-year key defender Connor O’Sullivan to face Fremantle after a strong pre-season, with coach Chris Scott saying last week that he was “right in the frame” for their first game.

Bews, 31, played a full game in the VFL in Geelong’s final practice match against Essendon and spent most of last season on the outer as he managed five AFL games, but he finished the 2024 season in the senior side.

It is an unfortunate setback for the 171-game defender who falls out of contract at the end of the season.

Luckless duo Cam Guthrie (Achilles) and Toby Conway (back), and midfielder Tanner Bruhn (finger) have no timeline for their return.

But Mackie said Guthrie – who had surgery a fortnight ago – and Conway are progressing well, with Conway having returned to running.

“He (Conway) will start integrating into football-based drills over the next fortnight. Toby is a long-term prospect, and a timeline on his return will be set as an appropriate pre-season load profile is completed,” Mackie said.

“After experiencing ongoing discomfort during high level football drills, it’s hoped the surgery will help Cam return to full function and minimise risk of ongoing issues. He has commenced running and a return to play timeline will be confirmed as his loads increase.”

Rookie selection Xavier Ivisic will miss another 4-6 weeks with an syndesmosis injury and will be reintegrated into football drills over the next fortnight.

Originally published as Geelong Round 1 injury list: Cats defenders Jake Kolodjashnij and Jed Bews sidelined