Fort foot injury blow
Cats ruck sidelined for up to three weeks
GEELONG’S ruck stocks have taken another blow, with Darcy Fort’s foot injury expected to see him on the sidelines for up to three weeks.
The big man pulled up sore during the week and scans revealed bone stress in his foot.
The Cats are hopeful he will return in three weeks, which with a compressed fixture would rule him out of the next four matches.
The only other designated ruckman on Geelong’s list is
Rhys Stanley, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
Stanley hasn’t played since Round 3 but may need to be rushed back into the side to face Nic Naitanui and the West Coast Eagles on Saturday.
Until Stanley’s return, the ruck load will fall to forward Esava Ratugolea and defender Mark Blicavs.
First-year Cat Sam De Koning has been playing in the ruck in Geelong’s scratch matches but is viewed as a long-term defensive prospect.
Geelong general manager of football Simon Lloyd said Fort would be monitored closely.
“Darcy reported some foot soreness late last week and unfortunately for him, it has (been) confirmed (as) bone stress in his foot,” Lloyd said.
“We will continue to closely assess Darcy and hope he can return to train and play within a few weeks dependent on his progress.”
Fort, 26, had played the past five matches for the Cats and eight overall in the last two seasons.
He wasn’t the only Cat to pull up sore at training, with Luke Dahlhaus sidelined with a mysterious heel injury.
Dahlhaus, 27, isn’t expected to return for four weeks.
“Luke’s heel injury is uncommon in AFL players. With that in mind we are assessing how he responds in the short term,” Lloyd said. “We hope to see Luke return in approximately a month’s time.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott dismissed any link between the notoriously hard surface at Perth’s Optus Stadium and Dahlhaus’ injury.
“I’d be staggered if we could draw the conclusion that Optus Stadium was the issue,” Scott said last week.