Geelong has backflipped on pre-season plans to rest Gary Ablett off a five-day break, with the modern-day great given the green light to face Adelaide on Thursday night.
Ablett will join Lachie Henderson in the line-up for the clash at Adelaide Oval, with the key defender a confirmed starter to replace Jack Henry who is sidelined with a hamstring.
Despite Ablett tearing his hamstring in similar circumstances last year – a round three interstate trip to Perth off a six-day break – coach Chris Scott believes his start to the season provided comfort.
"This is one we earmarked (to rest Ablett) but we've decided not to go that way because he's in such good shape," Scott said on Tuesday morning.
I will reiterate my (pre-season) comments, he won't play every game this year.
"Only two games in, albeit with a short break, it's not quite the right time, but there will be weeks where discretion will be the better part of valour.
"There's no point sticking to a hard and fast plan and not playing a guy when he's feeling really good.
"He's a pro so he'll have himself in good shape. He'll do the same amount of training as the rest of the players out there today and will go into the game with great confidence.
"I should say, if for some reason he doesn't train as well as we're expecting, it might make sense to take him out."
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After meeting the Crows, the Cats have back-to-back nine-day breaks before a six-day recovery ahead of a clash with reigning premier West Coast in round six.
Meanwhile, Henderson will play his first game of the season after a fortnight of VFL practice matches, including modified minutes last Saturday with an eye to the trip to Adelaide.
"It's pretty clear cut for us, we'd like Lachie in the side," Scott said.
"For the first couple of weeks it hasn't worked out that way and he's performed really well at VFL level and he's been a fantastic influence on the group."
While Scott wouldn't be drawn on the future make-up of the defensive unit, he revealed a second bout of surgery had Zach Tuohy finally over his knee woes.
It has put Tuohy in the frame for VFL selection next week, while another option has the Cats considering extra weeks of training before throwing him straight into the AFL side in rounds six or seven.
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"He had a procedure at the end of last year that didn't fix the problem, he's since had another one that has fixed the problem," Scott said.
"It's simply a matter of making sure he's got enough training and match fitness if you can get that outside of AFL games."
Pressure forward Quinton Narkle, who is yet to play at AFL level this season, is also in the frame to play the Crows, having been rested from last week's VFL hitout.
Cameron Guthrie remains in the mix, however Scott conceded he may need to return from a calf complaint through the VFL.
Others to play restricted minutes in the loss to Casey included James Parsons, Ryan Abbott, Wylie Buzza, Jamaine Jones, Jordan Cunico and Sam Simpson, with Zach Guthrie the carryover emergency.
