Cat returns with scars of horror injury

Veteran Geelong forward Gary Rohan returned to training on Monday one week after he suffered a fractured skull while playing in the VFL, with the stitches across his head evidence of how severe the injury was.

Rohan has been ruled out of his team’s preliminary final clash with Brisbane on Saturday but turned out at training showing the scars of the operation, with dozens of staples tracking across his head clearly visible.

His head had been shaved from ear to ear after the shocking injury that could spell an end to his time at Geelong, given the 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and is yet to reveal if he will look to extend his career beyond this year.

Rohan isn’t the only Geelong forward set to miss the showdown with the Lions at the MCG. The club’s all-time games record holder, Tom Hawkins, is unlikely to win his spot back despite turning out in the VFL.

Hawkins, who has announced 2024 will be his last season, hasn’t played at AFL level since round 16 after suffering a foot injury and teammate Jeremy Cameron said he was glad he didn’t have to make the selection calls.

“Thankfully, I’m nowhere near selection,” Cameron said.

“It is one of those things that it’s great to have a full team at this time of year. It’s crucial to have a full list to pick from, but at the same time, it’s a challenging time. Everyone has done a lot to get back in, not just Hawk and Guth.

”He could just sail off, as he has had an amazing career and it’s so touch and go with the timing of how his foot is healing and the timing of getting back is such a tight window, but he has done everything he could possibly do … it’s very (up)lifting to walk down to the gym and see that.

“It’s a great to have a full team at this time of year. It’s needed, it’s crucial to have pretty much a full list of people to choose from, but at the same time, there’s always stories (of disappointment) and it’s a challenging time as well.”

The forward combination of Cameron and Shannon Neale booted six goals between them in the qualifying final win over Port Adelaide and look set to do the job again against the Lions.

Cameron said Neale had been “enormous” as Hawkins’ replacement.

“He provides a really good contest. He is such a big fella and when he can launch at the ball he is hard to stop, so he plays an important role,” Cameron said.

Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart, who missed the qualifying final with illness and hamstring tightness, appears a likely starter against the Lions, but midfielder Cam Guthrie, who has played just four games this season after battling an ankle injury, looks set to miss again.