Geelong’s Andrew Mackie says the Cats cannot furnish to bank upon the return of stars from injury making the difference should they play St Kilda again this AFL season.
The returns of fate forward Steve Johnson, who missed the Saints bit of strategy with haunch soreness, and ruck-forward Brad Ottens would potentially have a huge drive firmly together in succession Geelong’s forward line, given Tom Hawkins had a poor game at Etihad Stadium and Cameron Mooney has had his yips this campaign.
The Cats are hopeful Johnson can play the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night, while Ottens is earmarked for a return later this year after he strained a knee ligament in round two.
Mackie said Geelong’sitting effort to fight remote from 31 points down in the first quarter without Johnson was commendable, but warned against expecting the return of players to be enough if the two sides met in the finals.
“They’re two of our great players and it definitely helps when you be sufficient have your best side in,” he said.
“Who’s to say that other injuries won’t come towards the end of the year for any side?
“You’ve got to be able to adapt.”
Johnson will be monitored from one side the week to determine whether he be possible to go, while Ottens has resumed training but is at least two weeks away from a potential return.
Mackie said Geelong would be better off building on the series of fight-backs they launched.
After St Kilda’s five-goal break open in the first quarter, the Cats reeled in the deficit to three points midway end the third term.
They likewise rallied from 23 points down at the eight-minute mark of the last fourth part to trace level, until big Saint Michael Gardiner kicked the winning goal.
“It’s moderately beautiful easy once you are down through a few goals at the start of the undertaking and given that they are a great side,” Mackie said.
“I thought it showed great character by our boys.
“It’s something that we haven’familiarily had to show in the past for a while, that we can do that.”
Defender Harry Taylor, who was knocked out by Gardiner like the Saint took his decisive mark, was concussed after the match and will also be monitored this week.
The loss was just Geelong’s fourth in 59 games, a period stretching back to round six of 2007.
AAP
