Geelong overlook Rhys Stanley for preliminary final clash despite recovery
Rhys Stanley surged into selection contention, but have Geelong decided to pick him? All the team news ahead of their preliminary final clash here.
Geelong will go into Friday night’s preliminary final with Hawthorn with an unchanged line-up despite the availability of number one ruck Rhys Stanley, who has recovered from a hamstring injury.
The veteran got through the captain’s run on Thursday but the Cats have elected to name him as one of three emergencies for the MCG clash.
Perhaps the greatest indication of Stanley’s confidence in his hamstring was when he unleashed a well-connected barrel during the session that went more than 50 metres – which nearly collected Jeremy Cameron in the head – while Stanley chatted with club doctor Steve Saunders.
He kicked to a teammate on his non-preferred left foot at one point, but he appeared reasonably comfortable as he completed multiple set shots on his right foot and bent down to gather a ball off the deck cleanly while chatting with Saunders.
Stanley also jogged at times and completed multiple set shots during the period where media were permitted to watch training at Kardinia Park.
The ruck duties mantle will likely be shouldered by the versatile Mark Blicavs and Sam De Koning, with Blicavs one of Cats’ best in their qualifying final win.
Geelong coach Chris Scott told media on Thursday morning, before selection was confirmed, the club would weigh up the risk of including Stanley.
“(Stanley playing has) become real in the last few days because he’s just been so good, so I’m doing everything I can not to think too far forward, but read into that what you will,” Scott said of Stanley’s recovery.
“It hasn’t surprised me, but we’ve been so impressed with the progress that he’s made.
“I think the short-term answer is that we could play him tomorrow night, now going after whether he should.”
Also among the emergencies are Jed Bews and Ollie Henry with the former having been touted as a possible inclusion due to Hawthorn’s smaller forward line.
“A similar question last game with Charlie Cameron, absolutely at the forefront of our thinking,” Scott said.
“Those sort of guys, Moore is an All-Australian, there is an argument to say he is more advanced in his career than (Watson and Ginnivan).”
Midfielder Mitch Knevitt has dropped out of the squad from the qualifying final despite taking part in Geelong’s captain’s run on Thursday as a result of Stanley’s inclusion to the squad.
Hawthorn has also elected for an unchanged line-up after it consigned minor premier Adelaide to a straight sets exit last week.
Their emergencies include ruckman Ned Reeve, midfielder Cam Mackenzie and defender Jai Serong.
Friday night’s clash kicks off at 7.40pm.
Originally published as Geelong overlook Rhys Stanley for preliminary final clash despite recovery
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