GEELONG coach Chris Scott has declared star recruit Bailey Smith a "lock" to return for the Cats' blockbuster against Brisbane.
Smith, who starred in Geelong's round-one belting of Fremantle, was a late withdrawal for last week's clash with St Kilda due to a calf complaint.
But the former Western Bulldogs ace will fly up to Brisbane to prepare for Saturday night's match, the first game between the rivals since the Lions shaded the Cats in an epic preliminary final last year.
Scott also expects Tom Stewart to play despite the star defender being subbed off with a knee injury in a shock loss against the Saints.
"As it stands at the moment, we expect them to play," Scott told reporters on Thursday about Smith and Stewart.
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06:51
Bana’s love for Spud, latest on Silvagni, Blues’ goal cellys explained
Sarah Hosking, Josh Gabelich and Nat Edwards preview Spud’s game and discuss the AFLW season opener, Eric Bana’s love for Danny Frawley, the latest on Jack Silvagni’s shoulder injury and the stories behind Carlton’s goal celebrations.
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06:20
Wizard in rare air, Lion flying under the radar, clearance kings
Sarah Hosking, Josh Gabelich and Nat Edwards discuss the Brisbane forward flying under the radar, where Nick Watson’s season ranks among some great small forwards of the past and the two clearance kings going head-to-head in Round 22.
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28:23
The Round Ahead: The Magpie in career-best form, the Cat who is an All Australian 'lock'
Sarah Hosking, Josh Gabelich and Nat Edwards preview the biggest games and storylines ahead of Round 22
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03:33
‘There are four right now that are absolutely starring’: Mid-season rookies having immediate impact
Sarah Hosking and Josh Gabelich discuss the mid-season rookies having an immediate impact just months after being drafted
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02:26
Wade Derksen’s ‘new lease on life in Navy Blue’
Josh Gabelich’s latest player portrait focuses on Wade Derksen who, after living pay cheque to pay cheque in Sydney, has a new lease of life in navy Blue and some certainty about his future after years of uncertainty.
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03:51
‘They are two of the fiercest competitors’: Rucks face off for starting AA honours
Sarah Hosking, Josh Gabelich and Nat Edwards preview the enticing match-up between Melbourne and Fremantle and discuss the Dockers’ MCG preparations, Oscar McDonald’s resurgence and the ruck off between Max Gawn and Luke Jackson that could decide who is named starting ruckman in the All-Australian team.
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01:31
‘Across the last two months he is the number one rated key forward in the game’
Sarah Hosking, Josh Gabelich and Nat Edwards discuss Dan McStay’s form that has him ranked the highest-rated key forward in the competition across the past two months.
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02:26
Cat an All-Australian ‘lock’, Swans’ big challenge, Toby a chance
Sarah Hosking, Josh Gabelich and Nat Edwards discuss Aaron Naughton’s fitness test ahead of Thursday night football, why Ollie Dempsey is a ‘lock’ for an All-Australian wing position, the big task ahead for the Swans and that Toby Greene may return from injury ahead of schedule this weekend.
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01:41
‘The similarities are uncanny’: Dusty 2.0 forging his own path
Sarah Hosking, Josh Gabelich and Nat Edwards discuss Sam Lalor’s three-goal performance against West Coast and his similarity to former Richmond champion Dustin Martin.
"I think we saw enough of Bailey (at training) to know he's a lock unless something happens, and (Stewart) is very likely, but didn't do as much work as Bailey.
"(Stewart's) eager to play, but he's a realist too.
"This is unscientific, and I probably shouldn't say it, but my experience with him is his powers of recuperation are amazing.
"So it didn't surprise me to see him sort of bounce back pretty quickly."
