The bye has come at the right time for the Cats as they prepare to load up on returning stars. We take a look at who is in the mix for our clash against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Friday night. 

Harry Taylor (17 disposals, seven marks, one goal)
The defender has only played three games at AFL level this year as he battles a plantar fascia injury. Got through a VFL game unscathed on managed minutes but will be a high chance to return against the Dogs to gear up for a big second half of the year.

Scott Selwood (19 disposals, six clearances)
The injury plagued midfielder has struggled to overcome some back soreness of late but played in the VFL against Port Melbourne and will have the bye week to make sure he is fit and firing to go. His defensive pressure has been sorely missed at times this year.

Cam Guthrie (24 disposals, four clearances)
Guthrie’s ball use and leadership in the back half has been missed as an ankle injury sidelined him for eight weeks. Has played two games in the VFL with his second game not on managed minutes. Will be a big in for Geelong come the second half of the year.

Daniel Menzel
The talented, yet injury plagued forward has missed eight weeks with a reaction to an injection in his groin, which left him unable to train for several weeks. Coach Chris Scott has stated that Menzel is a chance to return against the Dogs and his goal sense and aerial ability adds a lot to an already dangerous Cats forward line.

Quinton Narkle (19 disposals, five tackles, three goals)
In his fifth game back after an ACL reconstruction, Narkle has shown why Geelong drafted him. His ability around goals has stood out, while his ball skills and agility around the contest are a highlight of his game. Narkle’s past month has not only seen him build match fitness, but star in some important wins for the VFL side as he edges closer to an AFL debut.

Ryan Abbott (11 disposals, five tackles, 65 hitouts)
Abbott’s meteoric rise is almost complete as he edges closer to an AFL debut. His past six weeks at VFL level have been exceptional as he has shown his ability to push forward and impact the scoreboard, while also working hard around the contest and dominating ruck contests.