Ratugolea could face St Kilda
GEELONG could welcome back forward Esava Ratugolea next week as the Cats look to spring back from their upset loss to the Western Bulldogs.
The Cats led for much of Saturday night’s game at Marvel Stadium but battled in front of goal, eventually succumbing to a 10.11 (71) to 7.13 (55) defeat.
Defender Jake Kolodjashnij was concussed by an inadvertent knee to the head from teammate Jordan Clark in a first-quarter marking contest.
The injury played a part in the Bulldogs eventually wresting control of the aerial contest, with Aaron Naughton booting two clutch majors in the final term.
Geelong hosts St Kilda on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium and could add more firepower up forward with Ratugolea likely to return from a hamstring injury.
“We’d prefer to have Ratugolea in the team and it looks as though he’ll be available next week, which is a good sign for us,” coach Chris Scott said.
“But even if we had him (tonight), we had 44 inside-50s. You’ve got to be really, really efficient with such a low number.”
Saturday night’s upset win lifted the Bulldogs to 11th on the ladder and just four points shy of the top eight, having built on last week’s away win over Port Adelaide.
Coach Luke Beveridge is adamant his side have the potential to challenge for a topeight finish.
“We’re not a bad side, as I keep saying,” he said. “I try not to look back because the ones that have got away have got away. All I look at now is what’s up ahead of us and the possibilities of what might be.”