Out-of-sorts Geelong have received a double blow in the form of one-match AFL suspensions for Mark Blicavs and Jhye Clark on the back of a fourth straight defeat.
Blicavs and Clark have been banned for separate high hits on Greater Western Sydney playmaker Lachie Whitfield during the Cats’ four-point loss at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
The pair are set to miss the home clash with Richmond in round 12 as the Cats seek to arrest a worrying run of form.
Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin is free to play after being fined $1875 for his elbow to Essendon forward Matt Guelfi’s stomach.
Gold Coast’s Jack Lukosius (striking, $3750), Carlton’s Nick Newman (striking, $1875) and the Giants’ James Peating (rough conduct, $3750) were also cited and fined from Saturday’s matches.
Blicavs’ contact was graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact, while promising youngster Clark’s offence was graded the same.
The Cats are yet to declare whether they will challenge the findings.
The suspensions are set to deepen Geelong’s midfield concerns, with captain Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring) and Cam Guthrie (achilles) still sidelined.
The star pair are no certainties to return before the Cats’ mid-season bye in round 14.
Dangerfield has returned to training since his second hamstring injury of the season, sustained in the round-eight win over Carlton.
But coach Chris Scott has already ruled the skipper out of the Richmond clash on Saturday night.
“Pat’s in full training and looking good, but we’re going to hold him back,” Scott said after his side’s 11.12 (78) to 11.8 (74) loss to GWS.
“When exactly (he returns) is a little uncertain at the moment, but not next week, even though he’s in full training and pretty keen to be out there.”
