Luckless ruck-forward Nathan Vardy is finally on the cusp of an AFL recall by Geelong after making a full recovery from a serious hip injury.
Despite being limited to just 11 senior games in two and half years due to the ongoing hip complaint, 21-year-old Vardy is highly regarded by the Cats as a long-term ruck option.
He has been eased back into action this year in the VFL and is set to make the step back up to senior level, perhaps as soon as Saturday night’s historic first-ever match under lights at Simonds Stadium against Gold Coast.
“We will strongly consider bringing him in, either this week or next week (against Greater Western Sydney),” Geelong coach Chris Scott said on Tuesday.
“Nathan has been first-class with his approach to his rehab.
“He has played really well in VFL footy so we can have the utmost confidence that when he comes in he’s going to play very good AFL football as opposed to coming in and being a bit-part player.”
With Vardy sidelined until now and former North Melbourne star Hamish McIntosh (achilles) yet to get going in his first season with the Cats, the ruck burden has been borne by the fast-improving Mark Blicavs and Trent West, a job they have mostly done with aplomb.
But Vardy would add an extra dimension to the team as he is able to play dual roles.
“I’d be surprised if we take him in as the No.1 ruckman and ask Nathan to shoulder most of the load,” said Scott.
“He’ll have some help if he does do some ruckwork.
“But it’s also nice to have the luxury of knowing that he can play as a genuine forward too.”
Key forward James Podsiadly is in doubt for Saturday’s clash with the improving Suns after ending last weekend’s win over Port Adelaide with a sore knee.
But triple-premiership midfielder James Kelly is certain to return straight to the senior lineup after serving a controversial two-game suspension for his bump on Essendon’s Brendon Goddard.