Weigl answers Cats’ call

Lara defender Dan Weigl has been called up to Geelong’s VFL team. (Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)

LARA star Dan Weigl and Modewarre defender Darby Schilder are the unlikely beneficiaries of a run of injuries to key defenders at AFL and VFL level for Geelong.

The duo has been called into the Cats’ VFL team for Saturday’s clash with North Melbourne.

A shortage of key defensive stocks had Geelong reach out to both, with 28-year-old Weigl surprised when Lara coach Shayne Stone floated the prospect with him earlier in the week.

“It was out of the blue … I had no inkling whatsoever,” Weigl told krockfootball.com.au.

“‘Rock’ (Stone) just mentioned Monday night at our recovery that there might be an opportunity to go down and have a train this week if I was interested.

“It was way too good of an opportunity to say no to and train and tap into the resources down there.

“And even if it was just picking a couple of things.”

Weigl said Cats coach Shane O’Bree raised the prospect of the 2021 GFL Team of the Year member playing as soon as this week.

“I trained Tuesday night, and it was awesome; really enjoyable,” Weigl said. “Then he asked if I’d be comfortable If I played this week.

“I was never going to say no to that opportunity, that’s for sure.”

A former Geelong Falcon and talented St Mary’s junior, Schilder has just returned from injury at the Warriors, where he is a teammate of Cats’ VFL boss Aaron Black.

Bell Park’s Will Christie is set to make his VFL debut, while AFL big man Esava Ratugolea has been named for his first game since suffering an ankle injury on April 2, along with omitted AFL pair Luke Dahlhaus and Ollie Dempsey.

Cooper Stephens and Francis Evans have been promoted to AFL level, and young defender Nick Stevens is injured.

While three VFL listed players will be missing; Ryan Abbott (calf), Angus Byrne (concussion) and Liam McCarthy, who will return to GFL club Colac.

Twitter: @tom_king79

VFL ROUND 7

NORTH MELBOURNE (16th) vs. GEELONG (10th)

Arden Street Oval

Saturday, May 7, 3:05pm