Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield won't be looking to risk playing through groin soreness in Round 1 and could opt to sit out of the Cats season-opener against Adelaide.
Dangerfield revealed to The Herald Sun that a groin complaint hindered his 2020 campaign, with the Brownlow medallist hoping to reach peak fitness before running out in the navy blue and white hoops.
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While the 30-year-old remains confident of playing against the Crows on March 20, he admits rushing to play isn't an option for his recovery.
“Round 1 is a target and I don’t think I am at any risk of missing that, but I am also not bound by that (time),” he said.
“It will be ready when it is ready. I have had enough experience and longevity in the game to know Round 1 is not the be all and end all.
“If you lose Round 1 … there are still 21 games to go.”
The Geelong speedster has been visiting former Adelaide medical boss Steve Saunders in South Australia across the past month in hope of gaining the best from his rehabilitation program.
Saunders has also consulted injured Cats forward Luke Dahlhaus in Geelong, with the goal-sneak remaining on light duties as he looks to overcome a groin complaint, per AFL.com.au.
Dahlhaus has been training away from the main group and like Dangerfield, won't be rushed into contention for Chris Scott's 22-man side for Round 1.
The potential omission of Dangerfield and Dahlhaus adds to the headaches for Scott's forward-third planning, with star recruit Jeremy Cameron suffering a hamstring injury last week.
The 2019 Coleman Medal winner's setback is understood to be minor, with the 27-year-old expected to play in Geelong's AAMI Community Series match.