Star forward Jeremy Cameron is set to return for Geelong’s clash with St Kilda on Saturday afternoon, according to Cats coach Chris Scott.
“Jeremy will play,” Scott confirmed in a press conference today.
He indicated Cameron would not be managed any more than a normal game after returning from his third hamstring injury this year.
“We’ve put him out there with the expectation that he’s ready for the rigours of a full AFL game,” Scott said.
“That doesn’t mean that we won’t be agile in our decision-making in the moment within the game. Most players these days, even key forwards, get a spell at some stage.”
Patrick Dangerfield is also ready to play despite the Cats subbing him out after he copped an elbow to the neck from Toby Greene against GWS Giants last Friday.
“Obviously we were really concerned with it at the time,” Scott said.
“Whenever someone spends a night in hospital there’s reason for concern.
“But he’s recovered really well – after extensive assessments and tests he was [cleared to play] early in the week.”
Scott was wary of St Kilda, who he acknowledged were “desperate” to keep their finals hopes alive after a 29-point win over Sydney.
“Last week was a really good indication of what they can do,” he said.
“A couple of weeks before that they were in Perth and pushed West Coast all the way. We feel a great deal of respect for what they can do.
“But I think it’s worth acknowledging we’ve got a fair bit to play for too.”
The match looms as vital for the Cats, especially after the loss to GWS, in their bid to secure a top four spot, along a top two spot for a home final.
The Cats escaped with a 21-point win against St Kilda earlier this year, due in part to the Saints’ woeful inaccuracy, especially by key forward Max King.
“He’s got better as the season’s gone on,” Scott said.
“He’s going to get better and better until he hits his peak, which I still suspect is sometime well into the future.”
But the return of tall defender Lachie Henderson should be a welcome boost as the Cats look to contain King along with other key forwards Tim Membrey and Cooper Sharman.
