Geelong star Mitch Duncan has flown to Adelaide for a private pre-season training camp.
Duncan is pushing to overcome a calf injury suffered in early February and has been carefully managed by the Cats over the past month.
But the midfielder has been sent to South Australia to unite with renowned Adelaide-based physio and Cats consultant, Dr Steve Saunders.
The mini training block is about giving Duncan a change of scene and a mental freshen up outside GMHBA Stadium as much as it is about his physical progress.
The two-time premiership player is unlikely to feature in Geelong’s Round 1 clash with Collingwood on March 17, but is said to be making good progress on his soft tissue issue.
New captain Patrick Dangerfield this morning told SEN’s Whateley that Duncan was “touch and go” for Round 1.
Like last year’s careful management of its star veterans, Cats chiefs are mindful of the bigger picture with Duncan and the morale of its key contributors.
Duncan missed the opening round in 2022 with a calf complaint, but then played 22 matches in a consistent campaign that saw him rank fourth in total disposals for the premiership-winning Cats.