http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/star-geelong-duo-back-74398
Bartel, Kelly back for Cats
Geelong is set to be bolstered by the return of Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly for Saturday's crucial clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.
But mercurial forward Steve Johnson has a task to prove his fitness after three weeks on the sidelines and skipper Tom Harley, a late withdrawal from last Saturday's win over Melbourne because of a minor knee injury, is also no certainty.
"Bartel is a good chance to come back, Kelly is a really good chance to come back and Stevie Johnson's got to tick a few boxes and Tom Harley the same," Thompson told gfc.com.au.
"Johnson's about 70-30, maybe 80-20 and Harley's a touch behind Steve but I think he's pretty keen to play."
"The two most likely are Bartel and Kelly."
Bartel missed the Melbourne win because of a hip injury picked up against the Lions at the Gabba the week before while Kelly has been sidelined for the past fortnight with a hamstring strain.
Johnson hasn't played since he was a late withdrawal for the club's Round 14 loss to St Kilda with a hip injury.
Brad Ottens officially remains 2-3 weeks away from returning to action a full 16 weeks after injuring his knee against Richmond in Round 2.
The club recently acknowledged that Ottens' recovery was hampered when he contracted a post-surgical infection in the knee joint.
Thompson said the fact the Cats have the opportunity to derail the 2009 finals prospects of the team which upset them in last year's AFL grand final will be mentioned in the lead-up to Saturday.
"Our players will be up because it is Hawthorn and they're a good team and obviously with last year's results it'll be a big build up to the game," said Thompson.
"Our boys are pretty anxious and nervous and I'm sure they will be too - these are the sorts of events you want to be involved in."
Im surprised he said that, because after I read that I felt better about this game
Bartel, Kelly back for Cats
Geelong is set to be bolstered by the return of Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly for Saturday's crucial clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.
But mercurial forward Steve Johnson has a task to prove his fitness after three weeks on the sidelines and skipper Tom Harley, a late withdrawal from last Saturday's win over Melbourne because of a minor knee injury, is also no certainty.
"Bartel is a good chance to come back, Kelly is a really good chance to come back and Stevie Johnson's got to tick a few boxes and Tom Harley the same," Thompson told gfc.com.au.
"Johnson's about 70-30, maybe 80-20 and Harley's a touch behind Steve but I think he's pretty keen to play."
"The two most likely are Bartel and Kelly."
Bartel missed the Melbourne win because of a hip injury picked up against the Lions at the Gabba the week before while Kelly has been sidelined for the past fortnight with a hamstring strain.
Johnson hasn't played since he was a late withdrawal for the club's Round 14 loss to St Kilda with a hip injury.
Brad Ottens officially remains 2-3 weeks away from returning to action a full 16 weeks after injuring his knee against Richmond in Round 2.
The club recently acknowledged that Ottens' recovery was hampered when he contracted a post-surgical infection in the knee joint.
Thompson said the fact the Cats have the opportunity to derail the 2009 finals prospects of the team which upset them in last year's AFL grand final will be mentioned in the lead-up to Saturday.
"Our players will be up because it is Hawthorn and they're a good team and obviously with last year's results it'll be a big build up to the game," said Thompson.
"Our boys are pretty anxious and nervous and I'm sure they will be too - these are the sorts of events you want to be involved in."
Im surprised he said that, because after I read that I felt better about this game
