At first inspection, Geelong utility Paul Chapman’s hamstring strain seemed so minor he was not expected to miss any AFL action.
But the injury has proved far more problematic than expected, with the three-time premiership star a real chance of being forced to sit out a fourth straight match on Saturday night against Collingwood.
It has prompted the Cats’ medical staff to alter Chapman’s rehabilitation program to ensure that when he does return, it will be at 100 per cent fitness.
“I’m not going to say that I’m very confident (he will play against the Magpies) because I’ve just been saying it every week and it’s clearly a more-complicated issue than was first thought,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said on Tuesday.
“I can categorically tell you it’s not a severe hamstring strain.
“It’s a more-complicated issue that’s just grumbled along and it’s been at about 95 per cent for three weeks now.”
Chapman, 31, strained his hamstring against Sydney in round four, causing him to miss subsequent matches against the Western Bulldogs, Richmond and Essendon, during which time the Cats extended their unbeaten streak to seven.
“We’re not going to just roll through the same process and keep hoping for the best,” said Scott.
“There needs to be another intervention.
“It’s frustrating for Paul, it’s frustrating for us, but the most important thing is getting it completely right and making sure he’s ready to play a long stretch of footy when he does come back.”
A similarly conservative approach will be taken with defender Taylor Hunt, who’s likely to miss six weeks after undergoing surgery on Sunday to repair a fractured collarbone.
Namesake Josh Hunt is in contention to replace him in the lineup for the big game against the Magpies, in which experienced midfielder Joel Corey could also return.
Collingwood slipped to eighth with a 4-3 win-loss record after losing on the road to Fremantle last weekend, but Scott was impressed with their effort in getting back into the contest after the Dockers had skipped out to a 44-point lead early in the second quarter.