RELIEF FOR CATS AS PAT GETS ALL-CLEAR
GEELONG has dodged an injury bullet after superstar Patrick Dangerfield was cleared of damage to his calf.
In a relief for the premiership favourites, the club confirmed scans on Monday had revealed no new injury to the midfield ace.
Dangerfield was a last-minute withdrawal from the Cats’ win over St Kilda on Saturday night after he felt a tight calf muscle during the pre-game warm-up at GMHBA Stadium.
The Cats said Dangerfield would be monitored during the week before a decision was made on whether he can face the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
“Pleasingly, scans have revealed no new injury,” Geelong’s head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor said.
“Patrick has completed running this morning and will be monitored throughout the week to assess his availability.”
With just two games remaining ahead of finals, the Cats may opt to play it safe with the 32-year-old this week.
The Cats said captain Joel Selwood and versatile big man Mark Blicavs, who were managed for the match against St Kilda, would be available for selection against the Suns.
But ruckman Jon Ceglar has entered AFL concussion protocols after he was concussed in the VFL on Sunday.
Dangerfield has managed only 13 games this season after battling calf issues but had put together five straight games before Saturday’s setback.
He said on Saturday night it was the “mature decision” to pull out of the game given his recent injury history and the context of Geelong’s season.
“It is just not quite right,” he said “At the back of your mind, it is just that decisionmaking … how long I was out for last time and just making the mature decision around where we are at and where the season is at.
“It is almost a relief, to be honest. It was so close to game time and the crowd was starting to roll in, (there is) the emotion around wanting to be involved. But then there are the practicalities around making a good decision.”
Dangerfield was one of three withdrawals for the Cats against the Saints along with Blicavs (managed) and Ceglar (sub), while Gary Rohan missed with concussion.
The Cats said Rohan continued to progress through the league’s concussion protocols and his availability would be determined later in the week.