Injury worry for Guthrie

Zach and Cam Guthrie (Ivan Kemp) 300473_12

Geelong premiership player Cam Guthrie has suffered an injury scare as he tries to bounce back from an interrupted 2023 AFL season.

The midfielder only lasted a few minutes of the Cats’ practice match against Carlton at Ikon Park on Thursday.

Guthrie left the field early in the first quarter and did not return for the rest of the match because of a quad issue.

The 31-year-old was limited to just six games last season because of a toe injury.

Geelong stressed the move to keep him out of the rest of the match was precautionary.

Meanwhile, young Cats forward Oliver Dempsey provided the highlight of the first half in hot conditions at Carlton’s home ground.

Dempsey, who has played seven games across the past two seasons, leaped high in the second quarter to bring down a grab that would have been a mark of the year contender in the home-and-away season.

The 21-year-old went back and comfortably kicked the goal from about 25m out on a slight angle.