Geelong has confirmed that superstar Patrick Dangerfield's hamstring strain is on the "minor" end and is expected to miss the next fortnight.
Dangerfield - who was subbed out in the last quarter of Friday night's win against Adelaide - is confident it's not "significant" but is likely to miss at least the Easter Monday and Gather Round matchups.
Cats Assistant GM of Football Brett Johnson is confident that the captain won't miss a large chunk of football.
โPatrick injured his hamstring late in the game on Friday night, it's a low-grade hamstring injury,โ Johnson said.
โWe expect Danger to only miss two weeks, so we look forward to getting him back on the park soon.โ
Channel 7 reporter Mitch Cleary reported that the 2016 Brownlow Medallist stayed back in Adelaide for a few days to start the recovery process.
"Fortunately our medico is Sa-based, so stayed back for an extra couple of days," Dangerfield said on Monday.
"I don't think it's too significant and there's players far worse off than me.
"Rehab it for a couple weeks then get back into it."
With no confirmation on the timeline, concerns are starting to build, given Dangerfield's recent history of injury and fears that it could be worse than initially thought.
The club's captain missed six weeks in 2023 following a hamstring injury, ironically against the Crows.
A troublesome calf also restricted Dangerfield's 2022 premiership season, with coach Chris Scott holding him back toward the lead into finals.
The 33-year-old hasn't played a full season since 2020, missing a total of 15 games in the past three years due to injury.
In more positive news, young duo Tom Atkins and Jack Bowes have been deemed available for selection.
Update ๐ Patrick Dangerfield is expected to miss the next fortnight, while a couple of midfielders are set to be available for selection. #WeAreGeelong | @GMHBA
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) March 26, 2024
Atkins - who was a late withdrawal from the clash against the Crows - has overcome a "low-grade adductor injury" and is expected to return pending he gets through Wednesday's main training session.
Bowes, who hasn't featured in 2024, has recovered from a "calf contusion (cork)" and is also on the mend.
Tanner Bruhn is in a race against the clock to face Hawthorn on Monday after suffering a foot injury in Round 1.
โTanner is looking good. He's had that mid-foot sprain, so we're being cautious with that. He was a test late last week and didn't get up, so he'll be the same again for this week,โ Johnson said.
Geelong will celebrate club legend and three-time premiership player Tom Hawkins' 350th match when they face the Hawks.
