CATS MAKE ABLETT SWEAT
GEELONG is giving Gary Ablett every chance to play in Frid day night’s clash against Greater Western Sydney — but he still needs to convince the coach.
Chris Scott last night admitt ted the major concern centred o on how much training Ablett would have completed before Friday night’s match.
The 33-year-old injured his hamstring against West Coast in Round 3 but completed a gruelling 10km running session on Saturday and is determ mined to play.
It comes as Scott confirmed midfield superstars Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood were also playing with limitations — Dangerfield’s the result of an interrupted preseason with a back injury and a subsequent corked calf and Selwood with soreness that is improving.
Another factor in Geelong’s t thinking about whether to play Ablett is the nine-day break between the Giants clash and the Round 8 hitout against Collingwood the following Sunday.
“I think he (Ablett) will be a available (on Friday), but whether we play him or not is the more relevant question,” S Scott said last night on A AFL360.
“It’s Monday — we play Frid day night.”
Asked what would stop Ablett playing, Scott said: “Any lingering doubt over the a amount of full training he’s d done.”
“But any doubt, I’d be surprised if we played him ... (But) that’s not to rule him out.”
Scott said Dangerfield and Selwood were improving, but pointed to the efforts of young players such as Tim Kelly for lessening the reliance on the s star pair.
“(Dangerfield) is clearly good enough to be out there — and Joel’s been sore too, I don’t mind saying that, I’m happier saying that with Joel because h he’s probably through it.”