Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield is unlikely to play again before the AFL club's bye as the club takes a conservative approach to his recovery from another calf injury setback.
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Dangerfield was substituted out of the Cats' win over Port Adelaide on Saturday because of tightness in the same calf he injured earlier in the season
The previous injury - a strain in the same spot he had earlier corked - put him out of action for two weeks.
Dangerfield will now complete a mid-season training block in a bid to prepare him for the second half of the year.
It will likely rule him out of Geelong's matches against Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs before the bye in round 13.
"It is likely that a couple of weeks of training now would better serve Pat and provide the conditioning base required for the remainder of the season," Geelong's head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor said.
"Our medical and performance team are continuing to monitor Pat's status."
Rhys Stanley and Quinton Narkle were late withdrawals from the Port Adelaide clash because of ankle injuries and face tests in order to be cleared to take on Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.
"Rhys and Quinton were given every opportunity to play against Port Adelaide but unfortunately didn't tick off the relevant medical and conditioning tests prior to the game," Taylor said.
"They will continue with their reconditioning programs and will be assessed later in the week."
Despite Dangerfield's absence, Geelong will start hot favourites against his old club Adelaide.
The Cats (6-4) are looking to firm up their spot in the top-eight, sitting one win clear of the ninth-placed Bulldogs.
Australian Associated Press
