Concerns: Chris Scott fronts this week’s media conference at Simonds Stadium.
By John Van Klaveren
CATS coach Chris Scott is worried about the injury impact of last week’s Hawthorn clash despite looming opponent North Melbourne losing its past seven against Geelong.
Scott highlighted as concerns the Cats’ six-day break and leg injuries to forwards Steve Johnson and Mathew Stokes.
“Are we going to be affected because of the hard game, probably, but we’ve got to be able to rise above that,” Scott told a media conference this week.
“There’s a physical component to it but they’re a pretty resilient group and have been through that before.
”I’d back our people in to be as well-prepared as possible. On the mental side I have no doubts.
“But we won’t know for sure until Sunday afternoon.”
Scott said the club would closely monitor leg injuries to Johnson and Stokes.
“Steve’s corky is significant, it affected him a little bit but I expect him to be okay.
“Stokes also got a cork really early in the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if it affected him, even though he says it didn’t.
“We’ll do everything we can to make sure we know they’re right, which is why we have a conservative policy.
“That was the case with Orren (Stephenson) last weekend and maybe the case with others this weekend.”
Scott said he expected Stephenson to play as part of the Cats’ preferred structure of two strong key forwards and two ruckmen.
Youngster George Horlin-Smith was “really close” to senior selection, Scott said.
“He was perhaps our 24th player last week and he’s pushing hard again.”
Scott expected speedy pair David Wojcinski and Travis Varcoe to return via the VFL in the next two to three weeks.
