Geelong superstar Jeremy Cameron is open to potentially leaving Friday night's blockbuster clash with Collingwood mid-game as he awaits the birth of his first child.
The Coleman medallist has previously flagged missing the Round 1 match which is a possibility as he and his partner Indi expect the birth of their child in the coming days.
If Cameron was to miss his side's season opener, it would be another blow for Chris Scott's plans to face the Magpies, with veteran key forward Tom Hawkins also in doubt as he looks to recover from foot surgery.
Swingman Jack Henry has already been ruled out for the game, leaving Cameron as the sole target in attack from last year's premiership side amid Hawkins' touch-and-go timelines.
Former Collingwood forward Ollie Henry could be the Cats' first-string forward if both Cameron and Hawkins were to join his brother Jack on the sidelines, with Cameron revealing nothing has changed in his plans to prioritise the birth of his child over commitments with the club.
The timeline for the birth remains no certainty just days away from Round 1, with Cameron stating he may have to leave the MCG mid-match should he receive the call at half-time.
โI have been pretty clear with the club and we have spoken about it a fair bit and if that (labour) sort of happens then I won't be able to play,โ Cameron said, via the Geelong Advertiser.ย
โBut I am happy to go to the game and it is all looking normal (at the moment).
โRight now it is completely normal and it is a waiting game. That is the hard thing about it, you never know when it will come. I am just going to prepare and play and I will put the boots on.
โIf the call comes at halftime then that will be a decision that has to be made then.โ
Both Cameron and Hawkins will be vital cogs in keeping Geelong's premiership defence alight in 2023, with the pair both earning All-Australian honours last year after combining for 132 goals for the season.
The Cats narrowly defeated Collingwood on two occasions in 2022, with Cameron nine goals from the pair of appearances.
Geelong have already confirmed veteran Sam Menegola, defender Jake Kolodjashnij and midfielder Mitch Duncan are also set to miss the Round 1 matchup.
Geelong and Collingwood will clash at the MCG on Friday night, with the match to commence at 7:40pm (AEDT).
