Cats’ senior list shuffle

TIME’S UP: As many as six players may be cut loose

GEELONG is expected to reveal the first of several changes to its senior list this afternoon.

The Cats have begun conducting their exit interviews and could announce today that as many as six players will not be offered contracts for next season.

One player guaranteed to be safe from the knife is champion midfielder Gary Ablett, who the Addy can reveal played the last month of the season with a mid-foot strain.

Ablett was on a modified training program in the leadup to finals and was spotted in a moon boot at the Bellarine Football League grand final on Saturday, where he was walk- ing with a significant limp as he watched brother Nathan. But it is understood there are no lingering issues and the 34-yearold will be fine to start preseason training unhindered.

As many as 15 players remain out of contract at GMHBA Stadium, but while Geelong will call time on some, there are others who will test the waters with opposition clubs. Small forward Lincoln McCarthy has already told media that he “has a decision to make” following inquiries from Brisbane, while St Kilda has reportedly shown an interest in forward Daniel Menzel.

Running defender Jackson Thurlow is expected to explore his options elsewhere, while clubs have made inquiries about ruckman Ryan Abbott.

It leaves a handful of players vulnerable to receiving the unwelcome news their time at Geelong is up and comes on the back of a disappointing finals loss last Friday night against Melbourne.

Aaron Black is reportedly poised to be delisted.

The Cats’ VFL team also went out of finals in straight sets, falling to Box Hill on Sun- day. But despite the early exit at both VFL and AFL level, Geelong will enter the off-season with a sense of optimism, with only two players currently facing post-season surgery.

Defender Jed Bews underwent a shoulder operation yesterday and out-of-contract midfielder George HorlinSmith will face shoulder surgery today.