Geelong Cats Have Many Injured Players Before New Season

The Geelong Cats are facing a tough start to their pre-season with several players dealing with injuries. This news looks at who is hurt and what it means for the team's chances this year.
By Newsroom | AFL, Geelong |

The Geelong Cats, a team with a strong history of success, are facing a challenging pre-season as several key players grapple with injuries. This situation raises concerns about the team's readiness for the upcoming AFL season and their ability to maintain their competitive edge. The recurring nature of some injuries and the timing of these setbacks add a layer of complexity to the team's preparations.

Timeline of Recent Player Availability

Information from various reports indicates a pattern of injuries affecting the Geelong Cats squad across different periods. These reports, spanning from September 2024 to early 2025, detail a series of physical challenges faced by prominent players.

Cats’ horror blow as superstar injured again amid brutal pre-season: Every AFL club’s predicted Round 1 team - 1

  • September 2024: Max Holmes sustained a broken arm as a 16-year-old, an injury that has since spurred his improvement.

  • September 2025 (Grand Final related):

  • Jeremy Cameron played the AFL Grand Final with a broken arm, having sustained the injury in a collision with Patrick Dangerfield before halftime. He continued to play despite visible pain and returned for the second half with protective padding. Cameron aggravated the injury later in the game while making a chase-down tackle.

  • Patrick Dangerfield was involved in the collision that injured Cameron and later succumbed to a hamstring injury in a separate match.

  • Tom Stewart suffered a concussion in a preliminary final against Hawthorn, leading to his omission from the Grand Final due to concussion protocols.

  • May 2025: Patrick Dangerfield and Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide) both sustained hamstring injuries during a match. Dangerfield's injury meant he might not reach his 350th game milestone as planned.

  • March 2025: Bailey Smith suffered a calf injury after a strong debut, ruling him out of at least one match.

  • Pre-Season 2026 Updates:

  • Jordan Ridley (Essendon) is expected to be fit for Round 1 despite hamstring issues during the pre-season.

  • Archie Perkins (Essendon) is less likely to be ready for Round 1 due to a persistent groin injury.

  • Sam Lalor has had an uninterrupted pre-season following hamstring problems in his rookie year.

  • Josh Gibcus has had an uninterrupted pre-season and is in contention for a Round 1 spot.

  • Patrick Retschko has impressed in his first pre-season.

  • James Sicily (Hawthorn) should be available for Round 1 despite an interrupted pre-season.

  • Finn Maginness (Hawthorn) is recovering well from a lacerated kidney.

  • Ben Keays (Adelaide) is expected to be fit for Round 1 despite a hamstring issue.

  • Sid Draper (Essendon) is facing challenges for a Round 1 berth due to a groin injury and a disrupted pre-season.

Player Injuries and Performance

Multiple players have experienced injuries that have impacted their availability and performance.

Read More: Top AFL Players Negotiating Big New Contracts

  • Jeremy Cameron: Played the Grand Final with a broken arm, sustained in a collision with Patrick Dangerfield. He continued playing despite pain and an aggravation of the injury.

  • Patrick Dangerfield: Suffered a hamstring injury in a May 2025 match. He was also involved in the incident that led to Jeremy Cameron's broken arm.

  • Tom Stewart: Was ruled out of the Grand Final due to concussion protocols following an incident in a preliminary final.

  • Bailey Smith: Experienced a calf injury shortly after his debut, causing him to miss at least one match.

  • Jack Martin: Was substituted on in a Grand Final but appeared to lack his usual drive, recording 16 disposals.

  • Tyson Stengle: Missed early scoring opportunities in a Grand Final and was defensively positioned late in the game.

Pre-Season Setbacks for Other Clubs

Injuries are also affecting other teams during their pre-season preparations.

Read More: Hawks' Young Gun Contract Crisis: Will He Bolt or Stay?

Cats’ horror blow as superstar injured again amid brutal pre-season: Every AFL club’s predicted Round 1 team - 2

  • Essendon: Key defender Jordan Ridley is expected to be fit for Round 1 despite pre-season hamstring issues. However, Archie Perkins faces a tougher road back due to a persistent groin problem.

  • Hawthorn: Skipper James Sicily is likely to be available for Round 1 despite an interrupted pre-season. Finn Maginness is making good progress after a serious kidney injury.

  • Adelaide: Ben Keays should be ready for Round 1, recovering from a hamstring issue. Sid Draper is finding it difficult to secure a Round 1 spot due to a groin injury and limited pre-season time.

Analysis of Injury Impact

The recurring injuries to key players like Patrick Dangerfield and the pre-season concerns for Jeremy Cameron and Tom Stewart present significant challenges for the Geelong Cats. The data suggests that while some players have demonstrated resilience by playing through injuries, the cumulative effect and the timing of these setbacks are critical factors for the team's prospects.

Read More: Bailey Smith's Driving Ban Sparks Fury: Is AFL's Gentle Approach Failing?

"He doesn’t let it go when he’s carrying injuries into games and he’s having a great time. He played the week after he hurt it the first time in memory. So fingers crossed, he gets up." - This quote, though not directly about a Geelong player, reflects a sentiment of players pushing through physical issues.

The information available does not explicitly state if the Geelong Cats have a formal "injury management program" but the repeated instances of players participating in games despite injuries, and then experiencing further complications, are observable patterns.

Conclusion

The Geelong Cats are navigating a pre-season marked by a notable number of player injuries. While some individuals are expected to recover in time for Round 1, others face significant hurdles. The team's ability to manage these physical challenges and integrate returning players will be crucial for their performance in the upcoming season. Further monitoring of player rehabilitation and pre-season form will be necessary to ascertain the team's overall readiness.

Sources Used:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Geelong Cats players are injured?
Key players like Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield, and Tom Stewart have had injuries. Other players like Max Holmes and Bailey Smith have also been hurt.
Q: Did any players play with injuries?
Yes, Jeremy Cameron played in the Grand Final with a broken arm. Patrick Dangerfield also played with a hamstring injury.
Q: Are other teams having injury problems?
Yes, teams like Essendon and Hawthorn also have players dealing with injuries before the season starts.
Q: How might these injuries affect the Geelong Cats?
The injuries could make it harder for the team to be ready for the new season and compete well.
Q: When did these injuries happen?
The injuries happened at different times, some during games last season and others during the recent pre-season period.