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COLAC will welcome back three stars for its clash with Grovedale.
The Tigers will regain star ruckman Levi Dare and midfield duo Andrew Kelly and Micah Buchanan as they push to cement their place in the top three.
Dare served a one-match suspension, while Colac coach Paul Lynch admitted the club took a “no risk approach” with Kelly (elbow) Buchanan (shoulder), who were rested against the St Mary’s.
VFL-listed on-baller James Linton is also back in the frame to return.
“He’s back training fully and if he doesn’t play this week he will play the week after,” Lynch said.
“We’re just trying to hold him back a fraction. He’s had osteitis pubis and we have to be careful with it given his VFL commitments.
“If he’s picked he’ll play but at the moment there’s only three blokes out of the Geelong squad that are getting a game, so all the GFL players are playing with their listed clubs at the moment.”
Colac is just two points outside second and a game behind Newtown & Chilwell.
And much of the Tigers success can be attributed to powerhouse forward Jake McGuane.
McGuane is on track to become the club’s first spearhead since Nathan Murray in 1998 to win a league goalkicking award.
He has kicked 65 goals this season, three ahead of Grovedale’s Jordan Esrkine, who is out for the rest of the season.
“He’s had some massive games. He probably kicked 9.7 on the weekend and he dropped a couple of marks that he normally doesn’t drop either,” Lynch said.
“He’s had a really good year and he’s probably the premier power forward of the competition when he’s up and about.
“I don’t think there’s anyone that can stop him. (South Barwon’s Tom) Stewart is probably the best full back in the league and he copped the full force a few weeks ago when he kicked 10 on him.”
