Big Cats locked in for Gabba showdown

Geelong expects both Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins to take on Brisbane in a blockbuster clash at the Gabba, but the Lions will be without important speedster Zac Bailey.

Bailey could miss up to six weeks, with scans revealing a high ankle sprain after he pulled up sore following the win over Melbourne on Thursday night.

The Lions star came from the ground with an ankle complaint late in the previous game against North Melbourne and was restricted at training in the lead up to the Demons clash.

Bailey’s absence will hurt Brisbane against Geelong on Saturday, but defender Conor McKenna will be available for selection after overcoming the hamstring injury he suffered in round 1.

Big Cats locked in for Gabba showdown

The Cats confirmed Dangerfield (hamstring) and Hawkins (managed) would both be fit to play after the club early last week said the captain would face the Kangaroos but then did not pick him.

With Gary Rohan (back) also available after a VFL return, the only Cat with senior level experience out injured is Cam Guthrie, who is listed as one to three weeks away with a quad injury.

North Melbourne is confident No. 2 pick Colby McKercher will be right to play against Hawthorn in an important clash between the two winless sides at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

But forward Cam Zurhaar remains in doubt as he battles calf tightness which ruled him out the heavy defeat to Geelong.

Kangaroos head of performance Mitch White said Zurhaar would still need to prove his fitness.

“He has put in a strong couple of running and strength sessions and will now look to clear our soft-tissue running protocols this week to be available,” White said.

“Colby (McKercher) sustained strong contact to the sternum on the weekend and was in discomfort.

“A conservative approach was taken, and he was brought to the hospital for scans which revealed no significant damage.”

Defender Kallan Dawson, who rolled his ankle at training on Friday and was subsequently ruled out of the Geelong clash, will miss two to three weeks after suffering ligament damage, White said.

Hawthorn spearhead Mitch Lewis will be tested on Friday as he tries to overcome knee soreness ahead of the Kangaroos clash.

But veteran Luke Breust has “ongoing groin soreness” and has been ruled out for at least two more weeks, the Hawks said on Tuesday.

Essendon forward Jye Menzie will miss two to three weeks with the shoulder injury he sustained against the Western Bulldogs last Friday, while Fremantle will lose Sam Switkowski for the Western Derby after he was placed in the league concussion protocols.

Another small forward, Malcolm Rosas Jr, will miss eight weeks after scans revealed extensive damage to his hamstring following an injury in Gold Coast’s win over Hawthorn.

The 22-year-old will not need to undergo surgery but is set to be unavailable until after the Suns’ round 14 bye.