MITCH’S MAGPIE MISSION

Duncan ‘rehabbing around the clock’ in race to face Collingwood

HARD-RUNNING Geelong midfielder Mitch Duncan is an outside chance to face Collingwood on Thursday night as he recovers from a hamstring strain.

But Geelong will be without Quinton Narkle for most of its stay in Perth, after his own hamstring injury was deemed more severe.

Duncan (left) tweaked his hamstring while stretching for a mark in the first quarter of last week’s victory over the Lions and was ruled out of the remainder of the match.

Scans revealed a minor strain for the durable 29-year-old but he was back running at Geelong’s light training session on Sunday morning in Perth.

Cats football boss Simon Lloyd said Duncan would give himself every chance of lining up against the Magpies. “He is rehabbing around the clock so he will go close,” Lloyd told the club website.

“He suffered a hamstring strain in the first quarter. He was doing some explosive running on the sidelines and could slightly feel it so he is still a chance to play this week.”

Duncan’s chances of playing will be tested at Geelong’s main session on Tuesday.

He has a proven ability to return quickly from injury and surprised many by overcoming an injuryriddled pre-season to be Geelong’s best player in Round 1 against Greater Western Sydney.

The return home for West Australian-raised Narkle, 22, was soured by the injury, which is likely to cost him multiple weeks.

“He will tick all the boxes in the coming weeks and he’s an important player for us,” Lloyd said.

“He will do all the work and come back fit and strong.”

Geelong’s other members of the casualty ward are progressing towards a return, with Rhys Stanley now taking part in the majority of training as he recovers from a knee injury. All-Australian defender Tom Stewart has started running after surgery on his collarbone, while

Tom Atkins is making slow progress from a rib complaint he picked up against Melbourne in Round 4.

Recruit Josh Jenkins is also back running after a back issue and is in line to play in a practice match in two weeks.

“Tom Atkins is showing signs that he is turning the corner,” Lloyd said. “He had a good bike session today without any pain so he is tracking well.”

Geelong will likely recall Jack Steven for the Pies clash after the former Saint was rested against the Lions. Steven impressed in Geelong’s scratch match against Collingwood on Friday, playing the first half before being put on ice.

GEELONG is preparing for a series of games off four-day breaks in a Perth hub that could soon include Carlton and the Western Bulldogs.

But Geelong and Collingwood have been told definitively that player and staff partners will not be able to join them if they remain in Perth for extra games.

Clubs have been told the AFL will release Round 8 only on Monday before a condensed Round 9-12 schedule that follows soon afterwards.

Geelong trained on Sunday ahead of Thursday’s Optus Stadium clash against Collingwood with injured midfielder Mitch Duncan (hamstring) still not ruled out of that game.

Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd said the Cats were preparing for a rush of games off shortened breaks and are ready, given eightto-10 players are on the fringe of selection.

The Cats will move from the Crown Promenade to the Crown Metropol after 14 days of hard quarantine.

There is speculation the Bulldogs and Carlton will fly into Perth to join the Cats and

Collingwood, who are staying in the Joondalup Resort.

Geelong has played Carlton but could play the Dogs, West Coast and Fremantle before another fortnight in another hub on the east coast and returning after Round 12.

Collingwood has played the Western Bulldogs but could play Carlton in Perth.

Geelong has been informed by the WA government that no other families will be able to join the hub, other than those already there.

“We are expecting four and five-day turnarounds and are planning accordingly,” Lloyd said. “We feel we have got strong depth through our VFL players and we have eightto-10 who we could bring in so we feel really positive about it.

“Some of the partners are working and some have kids back at school so there are a small handful who have inquired but aren’t fully committed to come across.

“The question is if the trip extends past the three-week mark and we relocate from WA to elsewhere is there an opportunity for them to see their families.

“Our families have been terrific and we are providing support for staff’s partners and player partners while we are away. We have organised meals a couple of times a week, fitness sessions for them are taking place within government restrictions and we are in constant communication.”

The fathers among the playing group from Geelong and Collingwood may be reluctant to join a third hub unless their families are allowed to join them. While it would be an added cost for the AFL to fly the families north, it may be the only way to entice the players to contemplate a third consecutive hub stint.