Geelong is taking a cautious approach with young ruckman Toby Conway as he tends to a persistent back injury that has plagued his pre-season.
Conway has been on a modified program during the summer months but has commenced running and will begin a conditioning block.
It puts the 21-year-old in doubt for the Cats' Opening Round clash against Brisbane on March 6 with the club confirming he'll aim to reintegrate into full training within the next four weeks.
Veteran midfielder and premiership star Cam Guthrie has been ruled out of Geelong's upcoming pair of pre-season clashes.
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The Cats take on Hawthorn on Monday at GMHBA Stadium before they face Essendon next week in the lead-up to the beginning of the 2025 campaign.
Guthrie has been sighted 10 times in the past two seasons due to his ongoing Achilles issue and will be treated carefully as he looks to return to the senior side.
Small forward Shaun Mannagh will also miss the two pre-season clashes after signs of a right foot stress injury has hindered his preparations for the new season.
Mannagh has begun running in recent weeks and is expected to resume full training within the next fortnight, potentially putting him in the frame for the early rounds of the year.
Youngster Ivan Ivisic is likely to miss up to two months of football following surgery on his right ankle.
In training last week, Ivisic sustained a syndesmosis injury that required rectifying.
Geelong will also be without Tyson Stengle and Lawson Humphries for the match simulation against the Hawks.
The pair featured in the Indigenous All Stars clash on Saturday at Optus Stadium.
