Dose of tweak for Cats
GEELONG will welcome back star all-rounder Brenton McDonald as it hunts a thirdstraight victory.
Cats coach Andre Borovec confirmed McDonald, who took a break from cricket to rest a sore shoulder, would bolster the side that overcame Casey-South Melbourne by five wickets last round.
“It’s good to have him back,” Borovec said of the Ryder medallist.
“He’s had some tightness in his shoulder, and with time off it has freed up a bit.
“We’re excited to get him back because he gives us so much with both skill sets. It gives us flexibility with the ball and depth with the batting as well.”
Having not played since Round 1 on October 3, McDonald will need to blow out the cobwebs against Melbourne Uni tomorrow.
But Borovec is confident the leg-spinner will make an immediate impact.
“It’s not ideal but he’s a proven competitor over a long period of time,” Borovec said.
“He knows his game backto-front and inside out and he’s used training sessions really well to get that feel back, because leg-spin is a real craft. We’re hoping he’s as ready as he possibly could be.
“He’s had a lot of cricket over a long period of time and holidays have been rare for him because he’s always played in England.
“This was his first winter off, so it was important for him to do what normal people do and freshen up, and the timing was perfect.
“It’s nice that we’re still in white ball cricket because he doesn’t have to bowl a heap of overs.”
McDonald replaces young leg-spinner Billy Hyde, who returns to Geelong’s second XI.