GEELONG insists Gary Ablett won't carry any lingering injury concerns into the 2019 pre-season, despite managing a foot sprain in Friday night's elimination final loss to Melbourne.
Ablett dealt with the left foot sprain over the pre-finals bye after pulling up sore in Geelong's 102-point win over his former side Gold Coast in round 23.
While he was able to train with teammates leading into the clash with the Demons, Ablett was forced into a moon boot over the weekend.
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Wearing the extra assistance while watching brother Nathan win a premiership for Modewarre in the Bellarine Football League on Saturday, Ablett was out of the boot on Monday.
"He's been managing a midfoot sprain from the Gold Coast game in the last home and away match," Geelong head of football Simon Lloyd told AFL.com.au.
"He just required rest and that (moon boot) was just for protection. He won't need surgery and it won't impact his preparations for next year."
Ablett collected 27 disposals against the Demons but lacked the explosive power he had regained in the second half of the home and away season.
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"We'll go away now and have a break, (but) I don't want to be away from the club for too long," Ablett said post-game.
"I want to make sure I'm getting back in there and doing everything I possibly can to make sure I have a good pre-season and I'm ready to go next year."
While Ablett has avoided surgery, three teammates will go under the knife in the coming days.
Esava Ratugolea will undergo an ankle clean-up that Lloyd described as "planned" after his broken ankle in round 10 against Carlton.
The 20-year-old forward played two matches back in the VFL, before he was pulled out of the loss to Box Hill on Sunday.
Jed Bews (shoulder) and George Horlin-Smith (AC joint) will also have surgery.
Half of the Cats' list headed in for exit meetings and medical screenings on Monday, with the rest of the squad due in Tuesday before the club's traditional 'Wacky Wednesday'.
