DANGER SIGN

GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield has limped from the ground during Geelong’s four-point AFL pre-season loss to Essendon in Colac, casting grave doubts on his availability for Round 1. The 2016 Brownlow medallist pulled up sore in the first quarter and immediately headed for the Geelong rooms.

PATRICK Dangerfield is set to miss Round 1 of the AFL season after suffering a hamstring injury during Geelong’s fourpoint trial match loss to Essendon in Colac.

The 2016 Brownlow medallist limped to the Geelong rooms yesterday after pulling up sore late in the first quarter.

Dangerfield played no further part in the game as the Bombers won in front of 9115 fans at Central Reserve. The injury leaves the Cats facing the prospect of being without Dangerfield and fellow superstar Gary Ablett for their openinground clash with Melbourne on March 25.

“We don’t know too much at this stage. We obviously know that there’s tightness in the hamstring,” Cats assistant coach Corey Enright said. “Probably the next couple of days ... we’ll get some more information around that and see how he is.

“It’s obviously early to tell too much and how significant it is. We need to get the scans and talk to the medicos and see where it lands in the next couple of days.”

Ablett trained yesterday but is also no certainty for Round 1. The 33-year-old was sidelined for the Cats’ trial matches after suffering a hamstring strain last month.

“It’s really hard to say at this stage,” Enright said. “All I know is that he’s the ultimate professional and he’s going to give himself the best chance.”

Geelong ruckman Rhys Stanley will also have scans after leaving the ground early yesterday with a calf strain.

Essendon had its own injury scare with defender Martin Gleeson carried off in the fourth quarter after rolling his ankle.

The Bombers trailed by 27 points at three-quarter time but kicked four straight goals to open the final term and snatched a matchwinning lead through Jake Long.