GEELONG vice-captain Patrick Dangerfield has avoided any new injury with scans giving the Cat the all-clear following his late withdrawal against the Saints on Saturday night.

Dangerfield completed the on-field warmup prior to Saturday’s win, before making the conservative call with the club medical team to sit the match out.

“Patrick was withdrawn from the game against St Kilda on the weekend after feeling some calf tightness in the pre match warm-up,” head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor says. 

“Pleasingly, scans have revealed no new injury. Patrick has completed running this morning and will be monitored throughout the week to assess his availability.”

The club will regain a key pair of Cats for its trip to the Gold Coast with Joel Selwood and Mark Blicavs fresh and raring to after a week off against the Saints.

“Joel Selwood and Mark Blicavs will be available for selection this week after being managed for the game against St Kilda,” Taylor says.

Gary Rohan and Shannon Neale will be tests as both return to action following head knocks, as will Cooper Stephens who injured his hip last week.

“Gary and Shannon are currently progressing through the AFL concussion protocols, with their availability to be determined later in the week,” Taylor says.

“Cooper injured his hip flexor during the main session during the week, he’s begun a reconditioning program, and he will be a test later this week.”

Jonathon Ceglar will spend his own time in the protocols and be unavailable for action this weekend after being ruled out of Sunday’s VFL encounter with concussion.

 One bright spot from the Cats’ VFL clash with Sandringham was the successful return of veteran Shaun Higgins from knee surgery.

Higgins looked every bit his classy self as he picked up 23 disposals, seven clearances and kicked a goal while running at 74 per cent disposal efficiency.

The Cats have put first-year draftee Cooper Whyte on ice for the remainder of the season, joining Flynn Kroeger on the sidelines as both target strong pre-season campaigns.

“Cooper has been experiencing groin soreness in the past few weeks that has prohibited him from participating in team-based training,” Taylor says.

“It has been decided that Cooper will continue to complete a groin strengthening program for the remainder of the season and will be unavailable for selection.

“It is hoped that his reconditioning program allows him to complete a solid pre-season training block in preparation for the 2023 season.”