COCKATOO’S HAMMY HELP

ON THE MEND: Small forward consults Bennell’s physio

GEELONG forward Nakia Cockatoo is eyeing a return to football, with news he is seeking help from the man who led the revival of injury-prone Melbourne recruit Harley Bennell.

In encouraging i news for the Cats, Cockatoo (right) is back training strongly, having dealt with a series of softtissue injuries that have meant he has not played since Round 3, 2018.

EXPLOSIVE Geelong forward Nakia Cockatoo is eyeing a return to football, with news he is seeking help from the man who led the revival of injuryprone Melbourne recruit Harley Bennell.

In encouraging news for the Cats, Cockatoo is training strongly, having dealt with a series of soft-tissue injuries that have meant he has not played since Round 3, 2018.

It is understood he is consulting Geelong West sports physiotherapist Peter Stanton on his persistent hamstring problems.

Stanton is the man who helped fix Bennell’s careerthreatening calf injuries.

Last Saturday, Bennell played in his first game at senior level since 2017 when the Demons defeated Carlton by a point.

A hamstring injury before the Cats’ first Marsh Community Series match against Essendon forced Cockatoo back into rehab after what had been described as a solid preseason for the 23-year-old.

The powerful mid-sized forward, who has only played 34 games in his injury-riddled career, is still several weeks from playing but is back in full training and ramping up his program.

He took the field in a Friday night training session alongside recruit Jack Steven before the Cats’ win over Hawthorn, with all indications Steven will play against Carlton.

But the Cats would have to drop a player to find room in their forward line.

If Cockatoo and Steven can get up and running it could be one of footy’s most dangerous brigade of small forwards.

Against Hawthorn, Gary Ablett was at his spectacular best (two goals, 21 touches), Gryan Miers had 20 possessions and three goals, Tom Atkins kicked two goals from 13 possessions and Sam Menegola and Luke Dahlhaus both kicked a pair of goals.

Gary Rohan limped off with a sore knee but returned and has been passed fit after a fivepossession, one-goal outing.

Geelong made clear last week Steven was physically ready to make his debut.

In his post-match press conference after a 61-point victory, coach Chris Scott said the club had a decision to make.

A Saturday night home clash against Carlton would be the perfect time to launch Steven’s Cats career.

“He is a flexible player, Jack, and it looks like he has embraced the way that we want him to play, which is important because whenever you bring in a new player it can upset the cohesion a little bit, but we think we have a few options with him,” Scott said.

Geelong is cautious about Cockatoo, but he remains one of the most explosive players in the competition.

“We had some good numbers out on the training track on Friday pre the AFL game,” football boss Simon Lloyd said.

“Nakia is starting to hit some top speed and he’s completing a lot of the football sessions at the moment so he’s progressing really well.”