Geelong Cats forward Chloe Scheer is expected to be sidelined for the first half of the AFLW Season, with the 2022 Season 7 All-Australian set for surgery on her toe.

Geelong Cats Assistant General Manager of Football Brett Johnson said Scheer had been managing the injury throughout pre-season, before the decision was made this week to proceed with surgery.

“Chloe will have surgery early next week and is expected to be sidelined for the first half of the season,” Johnson said.

“After managing the injury throughout the pre-season, the best course of action was to have surgery to ensure that Chloe can launch into the second half of the season as best as she can. She is pivotal for us, and we are all behind her on her road back.”

2023 Geelong Cats AFLW Best and Fairest winner Georgie Prespakis will miss Saturday's practice match against Essendon at Windy Hill after sustaining a quad strain at training but is expected to be available for the Round 1 blockbuster against Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday 31 August.

Midfielder/forward Darcy Moloney will also miss the upcoming practice match with a foot injury.

Johnson said that Prespakis was already back running after the injury setback, while Moloney will be ready for Round 1.

“Georgie unfortunately picked up a minor quad strain at training, and we expect her to be ready to go when we host the Demons in Round 1 on Saturday 31st of August. She is already back running, so things are progressing positively,” Johnson said.

“Georgie and Darcy are both integral members of our midfield mix and we look forward to seeing them back and thriving ahead of another big season.”

The Cats take on Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday in their final practice match before the 2024 NAB AFLW Season begins.