Keras in wings for his debut

ST JOSEPH’S star midfielder Jordan Keras is closing in on his Geelong VFL debut after dominating at GFL level.

Keras, who won last year’s NEAFL best-and-fairest, was added to the GFL interleague squad after returning from injury through Joeys’ senior side a fortnight ago.

Cats coach Shane O’Bree used last week’s bye to watch some local football and said Keras impressed in the premier’s win over Grovedale.

He is in Geelong’s extended VFL squad for tomorrow’s clash against Collingwood.

“He’s in the mix — because spots are limited and the VFL boys have been in good form, we’re waiting on a few things,” O’Bree said.

“He’s getting plenty of possessions at Joeys and he’s body is feeling pretty good from it all, so that’s pleasing.”

Newtown & Chilwell’s Mitch Diamond has been named the Cats’ 23rd player, with St Joseph’s small forward Jackson McLachlan in contention to hold his place after filling his five-game quota.

“We’ve been really happy with ‘Jacko’, he’s going really well,” O’Bree said.

“He’s looked so confident every week he’s played and he’s really impacted. Obviously he’s not 23rd eligible any more, so he’s definitely in the mix but with the number of AFL forwards (including Lincoln McCarthy and Sam Simpson) getting back, it makes his chance of playing hard.”

Sam Dobson, Campbell Floyd and Luke Kiel are among the other VFL-listed players in the mix to face Collingwood.

“I reckon it will be a really good match because they’ve got a lot of AFL experience who are playing VFL,” he said.