Henderson forces his way back into senior team

GEELONG coach Chris Scott says Lachie Henderson effectively forced his way back into the AFL side after a thorough preparation at VFL level.

Henderson was named as one of two inclusions to the Cats team to take on Melbourne tomorrow, in what will be his first game since last year’s preliminary final loss to Adelaide.

Midfielder Jordan Cunico was also recalled after missing trips to Sydney and Adelaide, with youngsters Wylie Buzza and Sam Simpson omitted.

But it was Henderson’s return that had Scott up and about, with the 2011 premiership coach saying the veteran defender was 100 per cent ready to go.

“He has had a really good preparation from his knee injury,” he said.

“It’s been a long time get- ting him in, but he’s absolutely (at) full fitness now and in good form, so we think it’s time to get him back into the team.

“I’m not prepared to go as far as to say exactly where he’s going to play, but he will play.”

Henderson has had three knee operations since the end of last season but has always remained confident he would return to AFL level in 2018.

The former Carlton and Brisbane Lions star has played the past five games in the VFL, and Scott said his tireless work in the gym and on the training track had to be rewarded.

“He’s worked really hard and he’s really diligent,” he said.

“We felt, and Lachie felt as well, that he needed to be really sure of his body because he does rely on his preparation to play well at AFL level.

“(He has) really been deprived of that preparation through the pre-season and through the early part of the season. That meant we needed to be more patient. We’re really confident that he’s ready to play as well as he can.”

Fellow veteran Harry Taylor was not considered and will again miss with a foot complaint, although Scott said there was hope the two-time All-Australian would be back for the clash with Brisbane Lions next Saturday.

“We’re optimistic he will be available for the following week, we’re just not absolutely sure,” he said.

“I’m not the right person to give the specific technical details there.

“I can say he’s had a welldocumented plantar fascia injury and this is different to that. It’s in the same foot in the same area (but) more related to a tendon.”

Melbourne has recalled midfielder Dom Tyson and defender Joel Smith, who return at the expense of injured pair Mitch Hannan and Michael Hibberd.