Gary Ablett’s manager says the dual Brownlow medallist is a 100 per cent chance of playing in round one.
As the Cats await word on Patrick Dangerfield’s hamstring injury, their other wounded star Ablett looks more likely to be ready for their March 25 opener against Melbourne.
By then it will be just on a month since the former Gold Coast Suns captain strained a hamstring at training.
While noting Geelong won’t take a risk with either player, Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering said his client was certain to line up against Melbourne on March 25.
“He is very confident,” Pickering told SEN on Tuesday.
“He is 100 per cent. My understanding talking to him is he will play round one.”
Ablett said he hoped to join in full training by the end of this week.
“I’m just really looking forward to jumping into it,” he said on Monday.
Excitement is high at Geelong about Ablett’s return and his addition to their midfield alongside Dangerfield and captain Joel Selwood.
But Dangerfield hurt a hamstring in Sunday’s pre-season loss to Essendon and the 2016 Brownlow Medallist says it is the first time he has suffered the injury.
A public holiday in Victoria on Monday means Geelong must wait until Tuesday for Dangerfield to have scans and know the full extent of the injury.
“It feels pretty good,” Dangerfield said at Geelong’s headquarters on Monday.
“I’ve never done a hammy before, so without having done one, it’s hard to say where it’s at.”
Dangerfield was not worried about his setback.
“It’s not ideal – that being said, there are far more people in worse situations than I am,” Dangerfield said.
“You need a little bit of perspective I think.”
Lachie Henderson (knee) and Scott Selwood (ankle) are still recovering, while Rhys Stanley also hurt a calf in the Essendon loss.