Geelong have ruled out premiership player Mark O’Connor for the remainder of the season.
O’Connor underwent wrist surgery on Monday to repair ligament damage, but is expected to be in full training in time for 2025 pre-season training.
The 27-year-old had been a constant feature in the Cats side until this year. He only managed 13 games with his most recent coming as a substitute in Round 16 against Essendon.
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O’Connor spent time in the VFL before being sidelined with a knee injury. He played one more game — against Werribee two weekends ago — before going in for season-ending surgery.
O’Connor has played 122 games for the club and featured in all three finals in 2022, including the grand final win over Sydney.
“Mark underwent successful surgery and will take no further part in our finals campaign, we look forward to seeing him back out on the track and ready to go for a full pre-season,” Cats assistant general manager of football Brett Johnson said.
Premiership forward Gary Rohan underwent surgery on Monday after suffering a fractured skull in the VFL over the weekend.
The club only ruled the veteran out of next week’s preliminary final, but he would be long odds to be cleared for the grand final should the Cats make it.
Aside from those two players, Geelong have a healthy list to choose from.
Superstar vice-captain Tom Stewart, who was struggling with a hamstring niggle, will return after he was a late withdrawal from the massive win over Port Adelaide with illness.
Veteran pair Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie also got through the VFL on the weekend unscathed.
It leaves Chris Scott with an interesting selection dilemma.
Oisin Mullin, who was the late inclusion, or Zach Tuohy appear the most likely to make way for Stewart.
The Cats await the winner of the GWS-Brisbane semi-final as they look to advance to their second grand final in three years.