A simple training accident will cost rising Geelong star Josh Caddy eight weeks of the AFL with a broken foot.
Caddy suffered the injury on Thursday, with Cats football manager Neil Balme telling the club website that the midfielder heard a crack in the foot when he changed direction.
Scans later confirmed the seriousness of the injury.
The 21-year-old had averaged 15 possessions per game so far this season and had been developing into an important part of Geelong’s midfield.
He has played 46 games since his 2011 debut.
Caddy was the No.7 pick in the 2010 national draft for Gold Coast and played 24 games for the Suns.
He was traded to Geelong at the end of 2012.
Caddy’s forced omission is the only change for Geelong so far ahead of the Easter Monday blockbuster against arch-rivals Hawthorn.
They also added Jackson Sheringham, Jordan Schroder, Josh Walker and Jackson Thurlow to their extended bench for the match.