Cats TV spoke to AFL Journalist Adam McNicol and defender Tom Lonergan about the injury front that has plagued the team over the summer.

On this week’s Argue the Toss, Lonergan admitted that preparation for the 2014 season hasn’t been ideal, with some key forwards and midfielders not due back until mid-season.

“We’ve been decimated with injuries,” Lonergan told Cats TV.

“But we’ve still got a core group of experienced guys that can help the younger players develop really quickly.”

Lonergan remained confident that the club will be very competitive from Round 1.

“It’s an opportunity for the guys that probably weren’t ready to play AFL football to step up and show what they’ve got.”

McNicol said the influx in injuries would prove to be a challenge for the club, however was keen to see some of the rising stars hit the stage.

“A lot has been said about the young players and now they get their chance,” MicNicol told Cats TV.

“It does test the Cats depth, but depth has been a big thing at Geelong over the years.”

Senior players like Steven Motlop, Nathan Vardy and Allen Christensen will be sorely missed, but the injuries flow through to less experienced players as well, including young forward Shane Kersten.

“With Vardy going down, Kersten would’ve been knocking at the door but now he’s unavailable as well.”

To hear more from Lonergan and McNicol about the Cats’ preseason injuries click on the video above.