Cats to tinker with attack

Plans without Hawkins

GEELONG will experiment with its forward structure in its pre-season matches in the likely event superstar forward Tom Hawkins misses the seasonopener against Collingwood.

Hawkins, 34, has made an excellent recovery from surgery on his foot to fix a bone stress injury and remains on track to return within the first month of the season.

He has completed the straight-line running phase of his rehab and is set to ramp up his lateral movement and agility program over the next week.

It is a huge relief for the Cats as they embark on their premiership defence after a bumper trade period landed the club three top-end talents in Oliver Henry, Jack Bowes and Tanner Bruhn.

Top draft pick Jhye Clark has also impressed with his midfield composure over summer and could press for early selection, adding to the logjam for coach Chris Scott.

Henry has been one of the standouts on the track over summer, trialling in a halfback and wing position, but the former Magpie could also spend time forward in the practice games.

Henry booted 25 goals for Collingwood last year but lost his spot to Ash Johnson for the finals series a month before his trade request to join his brother Jack in blue and white.

Jack Henry could also be the man to swing forward to help replace Hawkins, having played in attack at times for the Cats, underlining his enormous flexibility as a swingman.

The Cats remain openminded about their forward structure in the absence of Hawkins, with back-up tall Shannon Neale (ankle) also in a race against time to be fit for the clash against Collingwood.

It means Geelong could turn to either Henry brother as a key forward, unleash a smaller structure including Gary Rohan at full forward, or rotate two rucks in Rhys Stanley and Jon Ceglar through the front half for the clash against Hawthorn on Thursday night at GMHBA Stadium.

The Cats take on Brisbane Lions in the official practice match on March 2.

The Hawks and Cats have agreed to play eight quarters on Thursday, giving them flexibility to trial different setups and combinations.

Who partners Jeremy Cameron in attack early will be the biggest question facing the Cats heading into the seasonopener as they attempt to go back-to-back.