Lachie Henderson is yet to play this season.
Photo: Wayne Ludbey
Experienced Geelong defender Lachie Henderson could return via the VFL this week as he makes recovery progress on a knee injury that has kept him out this season.
The Cats have been hopeful the 28-year-old could squeeze a return in ahead of the club's AFL and VFL bye, which takes place in two weeks, and confirmed to Fairfax Media they are optimistic he will have played by then.
The Cats have managed to prosper without Henderson in defence with rookie Jack Henry stepping up and playing a superb role as an intercept marking player, while the versatile Mark Blicavs moved to full-back.
However Henderson's return would be invaluable for the Cats, which sit fifth on the ladder despite several injuries to key players early in the season.
The Cats are also hopeful that Scott Selwood (back) and Cam Guthrie (ankle) could also return before the bye, with both back training.
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Henderson, who has had three operations on a troublesome knee since the end of last season, is among a raft of players unseen so far at AFL level in 2018 who are ramping up their preparations for teams in finals contention in the hope of having an impact in the back half of 2018.
Richmond are weighing up whether to include Daniel Rioli for his first game for the season against Port Adelaide on Friday night after three successive VFL games following off-season ankle surgery.
The 21-year-old played on Sunday so the Tigers will need to determine whether they are comfortable with him playing after a five-day break or to hold him back for the following Sunday's blockbuster against Geelong.
West Coast's Nathan Vardy could be an option to replace the injured Jack Darling, having played the past two games for East Perth after suffering an adductor strain in the pre-season.
The unlucky 26-year-old is working his way back into form and waiting for the opportunity with Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett in superb form. Key defender Eric McKenzie, a depth player at the Eagles, remains sidelined with a toe injury.
Melbourne's Aaron vandenBerg, sidelined with a foot injury since the end of 2016, will train with the squad at the end of the week as he aims to return in a month.
The tough forward will find it tough to break into the team but he provides an added edge inside 50 if he gets an opportunity.
Grant Birchall remains troubled with a knee injury.
Photo: AAP
Hawthorn's Grant Birchall has had a wretched run in the past two seasons after being relatively injury-free for his first 11 years in the league.
The knee problem that has sidelined him throughout 2018 has seen him undergo three bouts of surgery and the Hawks remain cautious when discussing his potential return.
Collingwood's Jamie Elliott would be a lively addition to the Magpies' dangerous forward line but there is no rush to get him back ahead of the bye. Crows pair Brad Crouch and Brodie Smith have not given up hope yet of returning before season's end.
Greater Western Sydney defender Zac Williams (Achilles) is progressing well, with a return date not likely until about round 20.
THE UNSEEN
POTENTIAL FINALISTS
West Coast
Nathan Vardy* – groin – back playing WAFL
Richmond
Dan Rioli* – ankle – three VFL games
Melbourne
Aaron Vandenberg – foot – training with group at end of week, a month away
Geelong
Lachie Henderson – knee – 1-2 weeks
North Melbourne
Taylor Garner – hamstring tightness
Collingwood
Jamie Elliott* – hamstring – post-bye
Adelaide
Brad Crouch – surgery – unclear
Brodie Smith – ACL – still hopeful of a late-season return
Hawthorn
Grant Birchall – knee – potentially July
Greater Western Sydney
Zac Williams – ruptured achilles – round 20
UNLIKELY FINALISTS
Essendon
Travis Colyer* –sesamoid –VFL
Martin Gleeson – foot –post-bye
Fremantle
Harley Bennell* – calf tightness – WAFL
Lee Spurr – knee
Carlton
Jarrod Pickett –scaphoid fracture – post-bye
Western Bulldogs
Liam Picken – concussion
Clay Smith – knee
Marcus Adams* – ankle
*Have played state league in 2018
Peter Ryan joined The Age in 2017 having covered AFL as a senior reporter with AFL Media.
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