AFL 2024: Geelong star Cameron Guthrie hurts groin in practice match

A freak injury with the first kick of the match has derailed Geelong midfielder Cameron Guthrie’s comeback within seconds in a practice match against Carlton on Thursday.

The premiership on-baller won possession from the opening centre bounce of the pre-season hitout at Ikon Park but suffered a suspected groin injury while kicking and collapsed to the ground.

The dejected 31-year-old was helped off the ground by trainers and walked down the race in a horror start to Geelong’s pre-season campaign.

Hopes were high for Guthrie to help Geelong’s midfield back to its best this season after the 2020 All-Australian and dual best and fairest winner managed only six games last year due to a complex foot injury.

He is entering the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent at the season’s end.

Carlton and Geelong were playing their first-choice teams against each other in four 20-minute quarters before switching to VFL sides for another four terms.

By the start of the second half, with Geelong leading by 17 points, the temperature had risen to 34C and was expected to reach 38C later in the afternoon.

Carlton recruits Orazio Fantasia and Elijah Hollands made their first appearances in navy blue, but returning defender Zac Williams was managed as the club said he would likely play in the official pre-season game against Melbourne on Wednesday night.