Two-time Geelong premiership defender Josh Hunt could miss round one of the AFL season after hurting his calf against the Western Bulldogs.
Hunt put the Cats ahead with a booming goal in the third term on Saturday at Simonds Stadium, but limped from the field soon after.
He was crutches after their last pre-season game, a fortnight before the season opener in Perth on March 31 against Fremantle.
The Cats recovered from a 19-point deficit early in the third term to win by nine points, 11.18 (84) to 11.9 (75).
If Hunt is unavailable, it will mean five members of last year’s premiership team will not play in round one.
Cameron Ling and Brad Ottens have retired, while David Wojcinski and Travis Varcoe are injured.
Corey Enright and Allen Christensen missed Saturday’s game, but are expected to come into the side for the Dockers match.
Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen also went off in the second quarter when he hurt his hand, but assistant coach Steven King said the star would be ready for round one.
The Cats and ‘Dogs had equal reason to be happy with a game that started as a scrap, but fired up in the third term.
There were several clashes early in the third quarter as the Bulldogs opened with two goals and were threatening to take the match away from Geelong.
The Cats responded with the last five goals of the term, including two booming shots from Hunt and Andrew Mackie.
Geelong led by 27 points 10 minutes into the last quarter before the Bulldogs made a late run.
A goal to Mitch Duncan midway through the final term ensured the win.
It was a much better performance from the Cats after last week’s drubbing at home against Richmond.
“We played okay – a lot of our players last week, the senior guys, first game back, were a bit rusty,” said Cats assistant coach Blake Caracella.
“We started that way a bit in the first quarter, but as the game went on in the second and third quarters, we were much better.
“The last quarter, the boys put the cue in the rack a little bit, but it was a great hitout for round one.”
Caracella said young players such as Steven Motlop, who kicked two goals, Cameron Guthrie and Billie Smedts were in contention for round-one berths.
The Bulldogs were also pleased with a strong, competitive performance where they matched the Cats for most of the game in contested possessions.
“We got exactly what we wanted out of the game … it was a pretty hard, honest effort,” King said.
They will start the season on April 1 at home against West Coast.
Adam Cooney and Brian Lake, whose seasons last year were dogged by injury, had good runs and Jordan Roughead was impressive with four contested marks in the first half.
