KEY CATS SET FOR FREO CLASH:

WELCOME BACK: Duncan, Stewart set for timely returns as injury list grows

KEY CATS Mitch Duncan and Tom Stewart are set to return for Geelong’s meeting with Fremantle next Monday as Joel Selwood and Jordan Clark begin their rehab.

The two injured players are set to spend multiple weeks on the sidelines, along with veteran Gary Ablett after he returned home from Perth for family reasons.

The Cats will happily welcome back Duncan and Stewart after football boss Simon Lloyd said they were both likely to play.

Duncan, 29, suffered a minor strain to his hamstring against Brisbane Lions in Round 6 and pushed to be passed fit to face Collingwood on Thursday night.

With an 11-day break between the Collingwood and Fremantle clashes, he is all but certain to play.

Defender Stewart, 27, has recovered faster than expected from shoulder surgery after he was injured against Melbourne in Round 4.

The All-Australian took part in the entirety of Geelong’s match simulation for unselected players on Friday.

“(Stewart’s) more than a sneaky chance,” Lloyd said. “We had a big session (on Friday) with a large volume of running and it was high contact as well and Tom completed the entire session. Tom is highly likely to be available.

“With the 11-day turnaround we are giving Mitch every opportunity to play.”

GARY Ablett is adamant he has not played his last AFL game as Geelong seeks guidance about whether he could train if he entered a 14-day Gold Coast quarantine hub.

Ablett is back in Geelong training with triple premiership star Andrew Mackie, who has volunteered for regular COVID testing and biosecurity protocols to train with his flag teammate.

Ablett flew home to be with wife Jordan and son Levi on Saturday as he battles a rare degenerative condition, but rather than a mercy dash it was a carefully-planned mission.

He is adamant the period back at home will allow him to unite with teammates after serving a 14-day quarantine at the Southport Mantra.

Teammates who listened to Ablett address the Cats list on Friday night were in no doubt they will see him again as he chases a farewell premiership before the season is out.

His brilliant form as the No.1 ranked forward in the game has seen commentators wonder if he might consider his future. But Ablett has been categoric with Geelong that this is his final season.

Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd said the Cats were seeking clarification on what players could do if they flew from Melbourne into the two-week quarantine period.

Current AFL players in the hub are injured (Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Jeremy Howe, Jake Stringer) but Ablett’s return to football would be pushed back if he was unable to train during that fortnight.

“It is one of the things we are working closely on with the

AFL and the Queensland state government,” Lloyd said.

“Players are still being tested twice a week, they are in self-isolation, so the protocols players are adhering to are strict and we are going above and beyond what the general public are.

“We will work very closely on that with the AFL and its medical team and what that looks like for others who return because while Gary has stepped out there are plenty of others who will need to do it as well.“The AFL has been highly professional and worked diligently with clubs but it’s a moving feast in a way because we are living through a pandemic and these aren’t ordinary times.”

Ablett bringing his family north with him is not a consideration but when he spoke to Geelong bosses about a return home early last week his first enquiry was about training partners.

“When Gary spoke to Scotty and I he wanted to know what was available for him back in Geelong to train so he is very focused on returning,” Lloyd said. “Andrew (Mackie) said, ‘I will do what I need to do and I am ready to go’.”

Mackie is now part of Geelong’s list management and recruiting group and will have to abide by the same rules as an AFL player with social distancing limitations to train with Ablett.

Geelong expects toplay Fremantle next Monday, take on West Coast the following weekend in Perth then immediately fly to Gold Coast.

The Cats could play as many as three games in 12-14 days, so Ablett is likely to miss at least five games.