Geelong swingman Jack Henry appears to have suffered a foot injury in yesterday's practice match against the Hawks at GMHBA stadium. The news soured what was otherwise a dominant performance by the reigning premiers.
While it's too early to speculate on the exact injury, Henry didn't return after halftime. In worrying signs, the utility suffered a similar injury last pre-season and missed the first eight games of the year. That injury saw him forced to undergo surgery and the Cats will be hopeful there is no repeat.
Used in attack in the absence of Tom Hawkins, Henry spent the first half as a key forward and booted two goals before being removed from the game. The Cats will have him assessed in the coming days to discover the extent of the injury.
Elsewhere, the news was positive for the Cats in their dominant display. New recruits Jack Bowes and Tanner Bruhn slotted in seamlessly and had significant impacts on the game.
Bruhn attended a large percentage of centre bounces, showcasing his ability as more than just a half-forward, while Bowes played appeared to play a high half-forward role and found plenty of the football.
However, it was Henry's brother, Ollie, who was most impressive, forming a terrifying combination with Jeremy Cameron and Tyson Stengle, the ex-Pie booting four goals and looking every chance to make his proper debut in the opening game of the season.
With Hawkins already ruled out of the Cats' Round 1 clash against Collingwood and Jeremy Cameron every chance to miss due to the impending birth of his first child, the elder Henry's absence will be felt keenly if the 24-year-old is deemed unfit for the season opener.
Despite the injury scare, the Cats appear to be more than ready to pick up where they left off, which is a scary prospect for the other 17 clubs around the AFL. With a handful of new recruits raring to go, they will be fully confident entering season 2023.
The Cats will do battle with Brisbane next Thursday at Brighton Homes Arena before facing the Pies in a replay of the pair's qualifying final epic on Friday, March 17 at the MCG.