Stars return for Geelong

Scarlett upbeat about Ablett hopes for Round 1

GEELONG named a near fullstrength squad last night for Sunday’s JLT Community Series match against Essendon in Colac, but, as expected, Gary Ablett will again be missing.

The Cats recalled Harry Taylor, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, as well as Brandan Parfitt and Mark O’Connor, for their last hitout of the pre-season.

However, Ablett’s hamstring strain meant he was never seriously considered.

But Geelong assistant coach Matthew Scarlett said the 33- year-old had ticked all the boxes in his two weeks in rehab and was close to being back to full fitness.

“Gaz is on his individual program at the moment and we didn’t really speak about him in too much detail for this week,” Scarlett said.

“He’ll be pretty close the week after to join the main training group and (Wednesday) he was off to the side doing his sprint work and getting plenty of run into the legs.

“He wasn’t seriously considered too much for this week but he’s close to being 100 per cent, which is great news for us and great news for him.

“We’re extremely happy, he’s getting a lot of volume of running in, and quite often when you’re off to the side in that rehab group you’re doing more running than when you’re in the main group, so he’s going to be absolutely ready for Round 1.” Geelong and Essendon suffered heavy losses in their opening JLT Series matches and will be keen to lift the standards.

Scarlett said the return of some of the club’s leaders was a major boost as the Cats look to hit Round 1 full of steam.

“We’ve pretty much got all of our players in who are available and it is definitely a serious hitout for us against quality opposition,” he said.

“I think Essendon is going to be right up the top of the ladder this year and we’re really keen to play a lot better than we did last week.

“Those guys are keen to get out there and they bring a lot of leadership and experience, but also that intensity they play with every week drags the others along with them.

“The young guys will benefit from playing alongside them. They were terrific last week but it will make their job even easier having some strong leaders out there.”

Lachie Fogarty was the only omission, with the side to be named today.