McCarthy and Narkle good to go

GEELONG VFL coach Shane O’Bree says it will be exciting to welcome Lincoln McCarthy and Quinton Narkle back from long-term injury for Sunday’s VFL clash with Collingwood.

McCarthy (groin) played only three games in 2017 before injury, while Narkle tore his ACL in June last year.

The Cats will also welcome back Sam Simpson who hurt his knee in the pre-season.

“It’s fantastic, they’re three good footballers we’ve got in our team who haven’t played footy for a long time,” O’Bree said.

“We’re just happy to see them play footy again and enjoying themselves, and keep building their game; hopefully in a few week’s time they’re all putting their hand up for (AFL) selection.

“Lincoln is obviously a proven AFL footballer and with his attributes he’ll really complement our team.

“Off that lay-off, we’re pretty cautious with Linc, but he’s done plenty of work over the last month with football training. We’re really confident where he’s at and all going to plan he should play nearly the whole game and have a real impact.”

O’Bree said Simpson had bulked up while sitting on the sidelines.

“Sam’s pre-season until he got hurt, in February I think it was, he was flying,” he said.

“The thing with having a bit of a lay-off, he’s actually put on a bit of size which probably complements what he needed to do with his body shape.”

However, in-form key defender Timm House (soreness) will miss the game.

“Housey’s just pulled up a bit sore from the Casey game and hasn’t got up and running in time, so he’ll probably just take another week to get himself right,” O’Bree said.

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