JAB BACKFIRES FOR MENZEL
Geelong’s Scott Selwood is ready to return from his sickening concussion and has no ill feeling towards the man who left him with a week of headaches.
GEELONG will take a conservative approach with a hamstrung Gary Ablett, all-but declaring he will return against Collingwood next round.
Ablett pressed his case for a recall after a strong training session yesterday, but Cats coach Chris Scott said the champion midfielder would be wrapped in cotton wool.
“We are closer,” Scott said before yesterday’s main session. “In my mind, I was pretty confident last week that he would be available in a technical sense, but the more relevant question for us is whether we think that’s the best course of action for the longer term.
“We are prepared to make a really conservative decision, even if it costs us the game on the weekend and the game last weekend as well.
“If that’s a mistake we make, we’ll be comfortable with that.”
He said he would have a clearer view on Ablett’s availability today, acknowledging his eagerness to return would have a bearing on selection.
“We have those conversations (about whether Ablett believes he is ready), but as the head coach, it can be an inappropriate course of action to try to shape the way he’s thinking,” Scott said.
“I’d prefer to let it play out with the medical staff and Gary, and let them make a really good decision and get involved towards the end of that decision-making process.
“I want him in the team, but I don’t want that to affect the process that they work through.
“If he doesn’t play, it’s not because it’s more serious than first thought. We’ve been comfortable that he would come together pretty quickly a couple of days post injury.”
Scott said the opportunity to extend Ablett’s recovery to 35 days would also cause the Cats to err on the side of caution.
“But that might be one of 20 factors that we’re considering. But it is real that there’s nine days post this game and that gives you an extra level of comfort,” he said.
“And I’m always a bit wary of saying those things because it implies we’re more careful with some players than others, but if we were going to take a completely risk-free approach with our players, they’d take a year to get over a hamstring.”