Max’s recovery enters the Holmes straight
GEELONG is set to name Max Holmes in its grand final side on Thursday as the youngster continues to take steps forward at training and push his case to play in the grand final.
Holmes was back out on the far side of GMHBA Stadium on Wednesday to go through more running as his teammates warmed up for their final main training session.
He went through extensive 100m running and had some intense stretching with physios, all while running without discomfort.
The speedster didn’t hit top speed but he was running at higher velocity than on Monday when he jogged in front of the fans at Geelong’s open session.
Geelong assistant coach James Kelly said the Wednesday session would likely not decide Holmes’ fate and he would “probably” be named in the side that would be released on Thursday.
Geelong will train on the MCG on Friday after the grand final parade in a session that will be used to test Holmes.
“We are of the belief that we want to give everyone a chance to be at their best and Max is at the forefront of that,” Kelly said.
“He has got to keep progressing really. How that looks day-to-day will depend on how he is feeling.”
Kelly said the Cats coaches had held extensive talks on how they would replace Holmes if he didn’t get up, but he refused to reveal who would some into the starting 22 to face Sydney on Saturday.
Holmes has been in good spirits this week.
“He is pretty good,” Kelly said. “It is a distraction but it is maybe a bit of a welcome distraction for him. He just comes in and focuses on what he has to do that day.”