Cockatoo shocker
GEELONG is on the brink of a shock finals selection by picking a 20-year-old who has played 65 minutes of footy in the past 13 weeks.
Explosive Cats midfielder Nakia Cockatoo is tipped to make a dramatic return against Adelaide in Friday night’s preliminary final.
His hard tackles and surging runs through the midfield make him an inviting prospect, with Chris Scott yesterday confirming he would be in the 25-man squad.
But in his last two outings – Round 13 and Round 19 – he suffered hamstring injuries that required lengthy breaks.
It is understood the Cats have set him for this clash for some time and were buoyed by a 10km match simulation hit-out on Saturday.
“He will be in the squad, I am not prepared to elaborate any more,” Scott said.
Tom Lonergan will return from gastro – potentially at the expense of Rhys Stanley – with James Parsons in danger of losing his spot to Cockatoo.
Cockatoo, the No.10 pick in the 2014 draft, has long been one of Chris Scott’s favourites given his bone-jarring
tackles and X factor. In that Round 19 game against Carlton he kicked 3.2, laid four tackles and then was done by the final term.
Half-forward Parsons has won only 11 possessions and kicked a single goal in two finals since a Round 23 midfoot sprain.
Swingman Harry Taylor said yesterday Cockatoo was capable of special things.
“He plays with instinct and his power and ability to accelerate is absolutely phenomenal, so what he can bring to the team is some real energy and enthusiasm and defensive pressure,’’ he said.
“They are the things I love about him. Whether he gets the nod or not, I am sure if he does he will bring all those things to the team. He is so energising.
“It really does lift you and he has had some great tackles this year.”