Patrick Dangerfield is set to spend another week on the sidelines for Geelong.
The Cats superstar hasn’t played since Round 10, suffering a calf injury before undergoing a mid-season training block as Geelong looks to get the most out of its ageing Brownlow Medallist.
The 32-year-old was all set to play last week but was curiously not selected for Geelong’s narrow win over Richmond, with reports stating he’d return against North Melbourne in Round 16.
However, 7News’ Mitch Cleary reports it’s looking increasingly unlikely given the Cats play Melbourne just five days later in Round 17.
“He strained the calf five weeks ago, I spoke to him yesterday at the club (and) he couldn’t be more firm that he hasn’t reinjured it, he’s just got soreness in different areas of the calf,” Cleary told SEN Breakfast.
“The Cats are saying there’s no point of playing him while he’s got tightnesss. I now think it’s a long shot he plays this weekend.
“I can’t see the fact that he’s missed five weeks heading into this week that he’ll play Saturday night then (have) a five-day break (into a game against) Melbourne and into Carlton.
“They’re saying there’s no reinjury, but the tightness is still lingering and it’s a mounting issue at Geelong for Patty Dangerfield.”
SEN Breakfast co-host Garry Lyon then confirmed the Cats don’t expect Dangerfield to line up on the weekend.
“I’m not revealing my source, but you are 100 per cent on the money,” he told Cleary.
“The expectation is he won’t play, he hasn’t reinjured it, (but) he won’t play this week off a five-day (break) and the expectation is he’ll play the week after. That’s where it sits right now.”
Dangerfield had been well down on his form in 2022 before taking the extended break, however, Chris Scott says the club has taken a different view this year with the aim to have him firing at the end of the season.