Geelong coach Chris Scott is preparing for Tanner Bruhn to be right for Friday night’s meeting with Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
The young midfielder was listed as a test on the Cats’ weekly injury report after being forced from the ground with a foot problem in the first quarter of the Round 1 win over St Kilda.
However, Bruhn returned at the start of the second term and showed no ill effects of the mid-foot sprain by gathering 12 disposals in the quarter on his way to 20 for the match.
“I’m actually very confident that he’ll play,” Scott said. “But, with like a lot of these injuries, it’s not something I get into the weeds on.
“I tend to get that final decision from the decision-makers, and it’s rarely me when it comes to the injury one.
“He’ll be given the green light to play, or if he’s definitely out, we won’t take him at all.
“I know we’ve sort of said he’s a test; what I think you should read into that is we need just need to triple-check he’s OK.”
If Bruhn is passed fit, Geelong could take an unchanged lineup into the clash with the Crows – the first at Adelaide Oval between the two clubs since the opening round of the 2021 season.
However, Scott hasn’t ruled out Shaun Mannagh finding a spot in the starting 22 after making his debut as the substitute against the Saints.
In just 26 per cent of game time, the mature-age draftee had five disposals and laid two tackles.
“It was good to see, so he’s definitely in the mix,” Scott said.
Friday night’s clash with Adelaide marks game 150 for vice-captain Tom Stewart.
Stewart has compiled a fine resume in his eight seasons at GMHBA Stadium, winning two Carji Greeves Medals, earning five All-Australian selections, and, most importantly, a premiership medal in 2022.
Scott says how the 31-year-old came into the AFL system shouldn’t be overlooked when telling his story.
“The reason he’s only played 150 games is because when he was 20, he didn’t really have any designs on an AFL career,” Scott said.
“He came through the local system, through the VFL system – did it the hard way.
“It’s an interesting case study of a guy who, at 18 or 19, probably didn’t feel either the motivation or the preparation to walk onto an AFL list.
“When he was just that little bit more mature and ready, he was able to come in and have an impact right away.”
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