Duncan eyes VFL return

STAR Geelong midfielder Mitch Duncan will try to play in a VFL game on Friday to secure a Round 1 spot against Greater Western Sydney.

Duncan and skipper Joel Selwood (hamstring) are in a race against time to be passed fit as the Cats try to bounce back from a pair of losses in the Marsh Community Series.

Duncan said the heavy loss to Gold Coast was more disappointing than the four-point defeat to Essendon in Colac on Monday, and had prompted a “reset” from the players on their return from Queensland.

The running machine, who is on the comeback from shoulder and hip surgery and a season-ending medial ligament strain, said he was an outside chance to line up at Giants Stadium on Saturday week.

“I’ve done a mountain of work in the gym and been out on the track over the past six weeks, getting the kilometres into the legs,” Duncan said.

“So it’s just a matter of getting the footy content in.

“Lucky enough we have a VFL game on Friday and I might be able to participate in that and then put my hand up for Round 1.

“So, it’s a big couple of weeks, but I’m feeling good.”

Duncan said the Cats weren’t looking to change much in their style of play in 2020 after losing to premier Richmond in the preliminary finals last year.

“I think our game style holds up,” he said.

“We’ve seen that. We were 20 points up in prelim, we just need to do that for longer.

“The second half of the year wasn’t great consistency-wise, but hopefully we get away to a good start again.”