Duncan gets his chance to make amends for Cats against Pies

REPENTANT Geelong midfielder Mitch Duncan is keen to repay the Cats for his brain snap moment against Sydney that cost him a week on the sidelines.

Duncan returns to the lineup to face Collingwood at the MCG today after serving a one-match ban for striking Tom Papley.

The hit cost his side a goal at a pivotal moment in the Round 20 loss and meant he was a frustrated observer as the undermanned Cats posted a gutsy win over Richmond.

“He was pretty disap- pointed with that,” Geelong midfield coach Matthew Knights said. “He’s usually a very disciplined player. I think it’s just one of those incidents that he’ll look at and learn from pretty quickly.

“He really loves the team environment and he loves the Geelong footy club . . . there will be an element of him that will be wanting to give back to the group.”

Duncan is a welcome addition to a midfield unit still missing skipper Joel Selwood, who is tentatively slated to return to full training after ankle surgery in the bye round.

Duncan was included in the side along with forward Wylie Buzza, while Rhys Stanley (calf) and Brandan Parfitt (omitted) departed.

Nathan Buckley has given a much anticipated AFL debut to Josh Daicos, son of Colling- wood great Peter, but Jordan De Goey (hip), Tyson Goldsack (soreness) and Alex Fasolo (shoulder) dropped out.

The injury-depleted Pies are out of finals contention in 13th spot on the ladder, while the Cats are vying for a toptwo finish.