GEELONG is uncertain when big man Brad Ottens will return to the field.
Ottens rolled an ankle in a reserves practice match the week before round one, and while Cats coach Mark Thompson said his star ruckman had not suffered any structural damage he was yet to resume training.
Ottens won’t play against Melbourne, with the reigning premiers unsure when the former Tiger might return to the field.
“It’s funny, it just hasn’t been getting any better,” Thompson said.
“I’m sure he’s not far away but it’s all dependent on how he feels and we’re expecting or hoping that he’ll be better but he hasn’t so far.
“I think it’s starting to slowly get better now [but] he hasn’t even started running yet.”
When asked if Ottens could miss be missing for more than this week’s clash with the Demons, Thompson replied: “Oh, he might play next week, they [the doctors] are sort of saying it could be next week, it might be two weeks or three weeks, they don’t really know.”
Thompson said Max Rooke, Brent Prismall, Kane Tenace and David Johnson would all be “putting their hands up” for selection this week, while Andrew Mackie (quad) would again be missing.
While Ottens’ ankle remains a concern, the Cats have been buoyed by the form of Mark Blake and first-year ruckman Trent West.
Both impressed in Sunday’s 99-point mauling of Essendon while each also kicked goals.
But it was the team’s overall showing that has had experts raving, with some pundits believing the Cats are unbeatable in 2008.
“We don’t share that opinion,” Thompson said.
“It’s only round two and there’s a long way to go and even though we played some reasonable footy on the weekend, it [the competition] can fluctuate a fair bit.”
The Demons hope that fluctuation occurs this Sunday at Skilled Stadium on a day when the Cats will unfurl their 2007 premiership flag before taking the field.
Thompson, who watched a premiership flag unfurled as a player with Essendon before taking the field, doesn’t believe the event will give his men any more resolve or have any bearing on the outcome.
“We’re involved in it and for a little of couple of moments we’ll enjoy our performances of 2007 but I think as soon as we go back in the rooms we’ll lock back into the game,” he said.
“It’s something we have to do and it’ll be a proud moment and I’m sure there’s a lot of Geelong supporters that will come to the game just to see that moment, because it’s the first time they’ll get to see their eyes on the flag, but I’m pretty sure that we’ll be able to jump back into the game itself.
“I think it’s more for the fans.”
