The Danger of rushing a star: Cats won’t hurry their skipper back despite a tough month ahead
Geelong will meet early this week to determine the rehabilitation program for skipper Patrick Dangerfield after a hamstring strain against the Blues forced him to the sidelines for the second time this season.
It was the 34-year-old’s fourth game for the season after he missed three matches following a hamstring strain to the same left leg late in round two against Adelaide, with the recurrence reducing the margin for error when he returns.
Patrick Dangerfield left the ground with a hamstring injury in the third quarter.
He has been working with renowned physio Dr Steve Saunders for several seasons as he attempts to stay fit while retaining the explosive power that has made him a champion midfielder in 325 games with Geelong and Adelaide.
The latest setback could require a rethink but with the Cats unbeaten after seven rounds and the midfield stepping up, they can afford to take their time.
Dangerfield has battled soft tissue injuries since 2020, missing four matches in 2023 following a left hamstring strain in round eight but returned to play the remainder of the season. Dangerfield also battled groin problems in the 2021 pre-season.
The length of time Dangerfield will now miss had not yet been determined on Sunday however the Cats are certain to be conservative. Teammate Jack Bowes estimated on the Sunday Footy Show his skipper would at least miss vital games against Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast.
“It’s a shame for Pat because he had such a good off-season and pre-season. We might be without him for a few weeks,” Bowes said.
The Cats have had a good run with injury, with Cam Guthrie returning in impressive style against Carlton while Tom Stewart is likely to be available having missed the match with concussion.
On Sunday, Dangerfield posted a short video to Instagram while at the beach.
“Hammy’s a little sore this morning, but that’s OK,” he said. “A few weeks of rehab and back into it.”
The ladder-leading Geelong have games against Melbourne (MCG), Port Adelaide (GMHBA Stadium), Gold Coast (Darwin) and GWS (GMHBA) in the next four rounds.
The Cats gave Guthrie four weeks of solid training before selecting him as part of his recovery from a quad injury. He played him off half-back against the Blues and was involved early, finishing the game with 29 disposals.
The Cats also successfully rehabilitated Jeremy Cameron when he suffered a series of hamstring injuries in 2022 which kept him sidelined before finals.
Mitch Duncan admitted on ABC Radio the club was now in a position to prepare players to be at their best when they were most needed.
Cody Weightman injured his troublesome left elbow against Fremantle.
Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs small forward Cody Weightman will have scans on Monday morning to determine whether he has suffered structural damage to the elbow that has troubled him in the past few years.
The results of those scans will determine whether surgery is required.
The Dogs, who faded late to lose to Fremantle on Saturday night, are also set to be without Rhylee West, who has been offered a one-match suspension. West was booked for rough conduct on Brandon Walker, the action deemed careless, medium impact and high contact.
The positive news is that Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is expected back after the break he took for personal reasons meant he did not have the chance to do enough training to be selected for the trip west.
Tom Liberatore appears a likely recall after he was a late out on Saturday with gastro, having missed the previous game with concussion.
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