2024 revelation Shaun Mannagh appears in doubt for Geelong’s Opening Round blockbuster against reigning premier Brisbane as he continues to overcome a foot problem that has interrupted his pre-season.
Assistant coach Steven King confirmed that Mannagh, luckless veteran Cam Guthrie (Achilles), and big man Toby Conway (back) are unlikely to be on the plane to the Queensland capital in three weeks.
“I think they’re the ones that would probably be pressing for selection, that are just not quite there at the moment but hopefully not too far away,” King said.
“The longer they stay out of full sessions, I think it’s unreasonable to ask them to get up and play that intensity of Round Zero.
“I think the next week will tell us a bit more about those three, but we’ll see how it goes.”
After undergoing off-season foot surgery, King confirmed Conway has a disc issue in his back after coughing while in bed.
“Something pretty innocuous that obviously happened, so we just have to take our time with Toby,” King said.
“He’s a very valuable commodity for us, so we’ll just make sure he’s right and obviously not just the back but the whole body.
“We’ll reload him in a manner that I think looks after Toby long term.”
Two-time Carji Greeves medallist Guthrie’s frustrating run with injury continues.
The 32-year-old has been limited to ten matches since the 2022 grand final.
“It’s just been popping up every now and then when his loads increase,” King said of the Achilles.
“I think the next week will determine where he’s at and how far (away) that’ll be.”
King revealed that Monday’s match simulation against Hawthorn will likely last only four quarters rather than the initially proposed five or six periods of play.
As a result, Geelong is likely to field a squad similar to the one that will face the Lions on March 6.
“We’d love to give everyone an opportunity, but we have to make sure we get our preparation right for that game against Brisbane,” King said.
“We’ll probably sit down today after training and work out who plays three quarters or a full game and how many we expose.
“We’ll have a couple stripped ready to go, but we’d love to replicate rotations as in a proper game.”
Former Carlton and Gold Coast forward Jack Martin is also being eased into the season.
“He played a half in our Monday match sim, so that was great,” King said.
“We’ve probably been putting more focus on strength and rebuilding Jack’s body a little bit to withstand the rigours of what the season is ahead of for him.
“He’s one that will be touch and go for Round Zero availability, but he’s trained a lot for us already this pre-season.
“We’ve been really excited by what he’s been able to produce for us, so our priority is to have Jack there available for the next couple of years, not just for one game or one month for football.
The match-up with the Hawks could provide a pointer to Geelong’s ruck plans for the early stages of the new season.
Second-year big Mitch Edwards has impressed during intraclub hitouts, but he is only likely to get his chance if Rhys Stanley and Sam De Koning join Toby Conway in the medical room.
“Mitch Edwards is one that’s jumped up a little bit,” King said.
“He’s had a great pre-season showing signs, but, again, (he) hasn’t played a lot of football yet, so we want to make sure his growth and development is probably a priority over a short-term hit of just playing.
“We’ll make sure we sit down and work out what that right balance is with him and for all our rucks.”
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