Premiership star Jack Henry is an injury scare for Geelong, hurting his foot in their AFL pre-season mauling of a young Hawthorn side.
Henry’s injury was the only lowlight for the Cats on Thursday at GMHBA Stadium as they started the first round of inter-club hitouts with an 85-point belting.
Geelong’s three key AFL trade recruits, including Henry’s brother Ollie, all made promising starts in the 21.12 (138) to 7.11 (53) romp.
Henry had kicked two goals early for Geelong before he landed awkwardly and had to leave the field, with the extent of his injury unclear.
He missed two months of last season, also with a foot injury.
The premiership defender, who held Lance Franklin goal-less in last year’s grand final, has also played in attack.
If fit, Henry could fill in for Tom Hawkins, who is recovering from foot surgery.
The dress rehearsal was played under modified conditions, with the Cats and Hawks having four periods before switching over to their VFL squads.
Ollie Henry, recruited from Collingwood, kicked four goals for Geelong as fellow recruits Taylor Bruhn (GWS) and Jack Bowes (Gold Coast) were prominent through the midfield.
Fringe key position player Esava Ratugolea also impressed in defence as premiership defender Sam De Koning spent time in attack.
Star key forward Jeremy Cameron also kicked four goals in the rout, while classy small forward Tyson Stengle had flashes of brilliance.
While it was only a dress rehearsal, it exposed the gulf in class and experience that the young Hawks must overcome if they are to be competitive this season.
They are rebuilding, with top onballers Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle) and Tom Mitchell (Collingwood) gone and veteran forward Jack Gunston also moving to Brisbane.
Will Day and Jai Newcombe were lively and Dylan Moore kicked three goals, but the Hawks could not penetrate Geelong’s rock-solid defence and were torched regularly on the rebound.
