Geelong veteran Gary Rohan will need to exit concussion protocols in time for Geelong's upcoming preliminary final after suffering a head knock in the VFL on Saturday that will require surgery.
Rohan copped an errant arm to the head from a Southport opponent in the first term of Sunday's VFL semi-final at Kardinia Park, with the premiership forward undergoing testing at the first break before being ruled out due to concussion.
The Cats forward took to Instagram on Sunday to confirm he has suffered a fractured skull and will require surgery.
"Not the place I had planned to spend my weekend," Rohan wrote.
"Scans have confirmed a fractured skull but I am doing well and in the best hands. Now just waiting on surgery.
"Thank you for all of the messages and well wishes."
The ailment will place Rohan into concussion protocols and see the 33-year-old sidelined for the mandatory 12-day period at the very least, which won't immediately rule him out of Geelong's home preliminary final in two weeks' time.
The result of surgery could lead to an extended stint on the sidelines for Rohan, with the Cats to communicate a more detailed injury timeline in the coming days.
Geelong are set to play their next AFL game on September 20 or 21, meaning Rohan will be available for selection if he is cleared to play after exiting concussion protocols at the minimum 12-day window.
Rohan was one of several senior Cats players named in the VFL this week, his second game at the level after being managed late into Geelong's home and away season campaign.
The Cats speedster was sidelined after suffering a concussion in Round 20 and would make his return three weeks later against St Kilda, with Rohan managed the week after for Geelong's final game of the regular season against West Coast.
He wouldn't return for their preliminary final on Thursday despite returning to the field last week against Werribee, with Rohan again left to press his case for a recall against Southport in Saturday's semi-final.
Fellow premiership Cats Tom Hawkins, Sam De Koning, Cam Guthrie and Brandan Parfitt also feature against the Sharks, with Hawkins playing his first game since Round 15 due to a foot injury that placed the retiring Coleman Medal winner's chances of another AFL game in doubt.
Guthrie hasn't played since Round 10 due to an Achilles injury, with the veteran ball-winner managing just four games in 2024 after hurting his quad in the opening moments of Geelong's pre-season practice match period.
De Koning was overlooked for this week's preliminary final alongside Rohan after overcoming his knee injury and playing in last week's VFL loss to Werribee, with the dup and Oisin Mullin named as the emergencies in Chris Scott's side for their trip to Adelaide.
Mullin played against the Power after being a late inclusion for star Tom Stewart, who missed the 84-point win through illness.
Scott looks set to have Stewart, De Koning, Hawkins and Guthrie available for Geelong's home preliminary final, with the latter two needing to get through the next fortnight unscathed.