WE’LL COPE WITHOUT HENDERSON
Henderson blow opens door: Scott
GEELONG coach Chris Scott says he is confident the Cats have the stocks to cover the early-season absence of key defender Lachie Henderson.
Henderson remains in rehab and is not expected to make his way back into the senior side until about Round 4 after a slow recovery from knee surgery in December.
With Tom Lonergan retiring at the end of last season, it leaves Geelong in a poten- tially vulnerable position in defence, with youngsters Jake Kolodjashnij and Tom Stewart likely to be called upon to play in key defensive posts early in the season.
They will play a significant supportive role to veteran Harry Taylor, who will spend most of his time in Geelong’s back half in 2018, but Scott said he was confident his defensive group could handle the heat.
“I am confident without being over confident,” Scott said.
“Henderson doesn’t look like being a serious issue, but it is something we need to consider. It is a challenge but there is also opportunity there as well.
“You’d like to be able to bring in a player of Tom Lonergan’s calibre to play on all the best players, but it is something that has been front of mind and time will tell how it goes.
“There is a bit to look forward to in the future though because we’ve probably put together a group of players down there that could conceivably play together for six or seven years.”
One player who has been slotted to fill a key defensive post for the Cats this year is Ryan Gardner, who is yet to make his debut after being taken by Geelong with its first pick in the 2015 draft.
The 20-year-old has been impressive throughout preseason but a slight niggle with his calf means he is unlikely to be risked for his team’s JLT Community Series clashes next month.
“He has had just a little bit of a calf issue that might hold him up from those games,” Scott said.
“It would have been nice to give him an opportunity then because he is developing quite nicely, but it is harder for those key position players, especially the young key defenders, because when they come in they tend to play on the really good players.
“It is harder than sliding in on a half-back flank and feeling your way for a bit, but he is definitely part of our plans.”
Geelong begins its JLT Community Series campaign against Gold Coast next Sunday, with its second match against Essendon in Colac on March 11.