BILLIE Smedts’ wretched run with injuries has continued, with the Geelong defender to be sidelined for up to two months with a broken collarbone.
The Cats are also likely to be without ruckman Hamish McIntosh for a similar period due to a torn tendon in his calf.
Both Smedts and McIntosh suffered their injuries in the gutsy eight-point VFL victory over Richmond at the Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
"The good thing is Billie doesn't require surgery," Geelong football manager Steve Hocking told AFL.com.au.
"He's had a good pre-season, but this stuff happens and he'll work his way through it."
Smedts has had a horror injury run since Geelong drafted him with pick No.15 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
The 22-year-old was forced to go in for hip surgery which wiped out almost his entire first season in 2011.
He debuted in round one, 2012, but failed to establish himself in the Cats’ best 22, playing 14 games as he battled inconsistent form.
Smedts was trained in a defensive role in the lead up to 2014, but his campaign was limited to six games after he sustained a broken leg in the Cats' final NAB Challenge game against North Melbourne.
More information on these injuries as well as other players on the injury list will be available in nib Medical Room on CatsTV on Tuesday afternoon.