Cat injury puts heat on ruck rule, Weitering set to return, slick Blues unveil future star

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“It was very fortunate that this type of injury occurred,” Weitering said. “The scans came back clean and when we came back on Monday morning we saw there was something there.

“I haven’t been feeling well for a few days, but [I] “I definitely feel much better now.”

The league’s new ball rule came under scrutiny twice during the practice match as the Blues edged the Cats by 15 points on Wednesday night, showing they were intent on smoother ball movement.

Geelong forward Shannon Neale limped off the ground clutching his right leg after hitting his knees in the center leap from Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet in the third term.

It was reminiscent of a series of PCL injuries that led to a change in ruck rules at the start of the 2005 season, despite Geelong insisting Neale had only hurt his shin.

Earlier, Pittonet had been penalized for a center jump for crossing the line as he appeared to be trying to prepare for contact against Sam De Koning, who was only making a high jump.

Now: The ruck rule will be difficult to decide. Geelong scored in the third term thanks to a questionable midfield infringement. Pittonet was pinged for crossing the halfway line against De Koning. “I think it’s incredibly unfortunate,” Fox Footy commentator Jason Dunstall said. “Basically what he does is he moves out of the way because De Koning is about to jump on him. But De Koning can’t get close to the football field. So I think that’s a decision they’re going to look at and probably say ‘well, maybe that’s not the right call.’ All Pittonet did was go where the ball ended up landing.”

Eye catchers: More than 5,000 Blues fans at Ikon Park were thrilled with the assured showcase of 2024 No. 3 draft pick Smith. The midfielder had to wait 12 months to make his debut after being sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury last year. But it was worth the wait. As well as finding plenty of pills, he also spent a lot of time on center bounces alongside Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.

Sorry to make all this about green shots, but diehard Blues fans would have been rubbing their eyes in disbelief late in the second quarter when 2025 No. 3 overall pick Harry Dean dove sideways into a pile, put his hands up late and plucked the ball out of the air. If he didn’t have red hair and the year wasn’t 2026, you’d swear the slightly stooped number 35 was his father and Carlton double-winner Peter Dean.

For the Cats, it was a welcome return for receiver Tanner Bruhn, who missed all of last year due to a lawsuit. All charges against Bruhn and his friend Patrick Sinnott were dropped in November. He got a load of the ball early on and finished the game with 27 disposals. Hawthorn recruit James Worpel was useful, while Max Holmes showed why he is one of the competition’s leading players with his usual running and dashing.

Injuries: Geelong’s forward stock fell as Neale limped off the ground. They were already without Jeremy Cameron. “He took a bit of a knock on his sting,” Geelong assistant coach James Kelly said of Neale’s injury. “He’s a bit unlucky. There’s probably about a 10 centimeter area that wasn’t covered by the shin guard and he took a hit on that. We think he’ll be fine.”

Carlton fans breathed a sigh of relief after big signing Sam Walsh reappeared on the pitch in the opening quarter. Earlier, following a seemingly innocuous tackle from Geelong rival Bruhn, he was grabbed around the waist and taken to the rooms as a precaution. The Blues later revealed he was out of breath. He showed no signs of discomfort as he ran to score from the center of the goal lately.

Unavailable: Weitering sat on the sidelines but Hansen said he was confident the Blues would be right next week and expected him to go straight to Curnow. “It’s a logical match, right?” he said. The Blues were also without Adam Cerra (hamstring), Blake Acres (shoulder) and Nic Newman (on reserves).

Kelly is hopeful Jeremy Cameron can overcome the quadruple problem before next week. The Cats play the Suns on the Gold Coast. “As far as I know, it should be fine,” Kelly said. He also expected Bailey Smith to return from his calf complaint but there was no timeline for when Gryan Miers (thumb) would return. The Cats were also without Rhys Stanley (managed), Jack Bowes (managed) and Tyson Stengle (returning from personal leave).

What the coaches said

Hansen on Carlton’s ball movement. “The last kick is very critical in football,” he said. “Of course, the personnel we have, the availability of some of the players who are already here and the work we have put in for this, I hope that it is a combination of many things that help us get better in the front half and increase our efficiency.”

Kelly said Geelong was focusing on trade rotations “We had a bit of a priority on getting enough playing time for a few players,” he said. “I liked that we were able to do that. I think we’re pretty close to the rotation point we’ll have next week, which is good. I didn’t like the way we started. I thought they were probably a little bit sharper around the ball.”

Decision

The blues have a pulse. Oliver Florent, Zac Williams and Adam Saad prepare for fastball action at halftime. But it will be the next innings that will tell when the pressure will increase next week. The inclusion of Smith and the ready-and-putting Walsh helps. But they only played the Geelong side idling in second gear. The forward line (Harry McKay, Brodie Kemp and a bunch of small forwards) will demand better ball handling.

Geelong’s progress in their bid to catch up with Brisbane could come from their midfield. Bruhn and Worpel are not game-winners, but they provide needed depth. Holmes continues to excel and could emerge as a Brownlow Medal hopeful. The new tread rules will suit De Koning’s lighter frame. Their forward line will be better served if experienced pair Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield do not suffer injuries.

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