Cockatoo on hold for week
SPEEDSTER Nakia Cockatoo will be out for at least another week as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
The 20-year-old suffered his second hamstring strain in a month in Geelong’s loss to West Coast in Round 13, with the club vowing to take an ultra-conservative approach.
It means Cockatoo will not be available to play Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night, but he is hopeful of being cleared to play against Brisbane Lions at the Gabba the following week.
The Cats will spend a week on the Gold Coast for a warmweather training immediately after the Giants clash, and Cockatoo said that period would determine his hopes of a return against the Lions.
“I’m feeling pretty good at the moment. I’m doing everything right just to get this hamstring sorted out,” he said.
“Hopefully I will be back in a couple of weeks. We head up to the Gold Coast with the boys, so I will obviously train with them.
“Pretty much will see how this week unfolds and hopefully I can get up for maybe Brisbane. I’m not too sure yet, it could set me back another few weeks.
“I’ve just got to get through this Gold Coast bit.”
The club believes Cockatoo’s explosiveness makes him more susceptible to hamstring injuries and the high-octane midfielder says he is learning about his body’s capabilities.
Cockatoo, who went down in the early stages of the loss to West Coast, said he had to continue working on strengthening the area so he did not suffer another setback.
“I’ve just got to get it right and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said.
“Strengthening and getting some condition into it as well over the next week or so.
“It comes down to preparing the best I can during the week and before games.
“If I can’t run at training, I’ve got to make sure I do w what’s best for the team. If that’s me not playing then I’ve got to sit it out and play the w week after.”
Cockatoo signed a two-year contract extension with the Cats last week, tying him to the club until the end of 2019.
James Parsons, Brandan Parfitt and Sam Menegola also committed their short-term future to the club.
Cockatoo said it was exciting that Geelong’s young core w was starting to get locked away.
“From my first year there is me, ‘ Greggo’ (Cory Gregson) and (Jordan) Cunico, and we are still pretty tight,” he said.
“And with the new boys that have come in we have formed a new bond as well, w which is nice.”