Geelong's not-so secret 'weapon' to push injured Cat Cam Guthrie's long awaited return

Geelong premiership star Cam Guthrie has played just 10 matches since the Cats' 2022 grand final triumph over Sydney.

The 32-year-old has struggled through toe and foot injuries, as well as quad troubles that kept him away from senior football for most of the last two seasons.

But, according to his younger brother and Geelong defender Zach, 2025 is the year of the Guthrie comeback.

READ MORE: Demon's act of sportsmanship amid Open win

THE MOLE: Knights plot 'major gamble' to fix halves headache

READ MORE: 'Not cool': Great's plea to wayward 'genius' Kyrgios

Zach has gone from strength to strength since the successful 2022 campaign, coming runner-up in Geelong's Carji Greeves best and fairest last year.

But all he really wants to see is his brother back out there with him, contributing to the side's push for a second flag in four years.

"It's probably frustrating when you can't get on the field and play games because that's what you're here to do, isn't it?" Guthrie said of his older brother's setbacks on Tuesday.

"(All Cam wants to do is) look to help the team get some wins, which I think is the frustrating part, but he's been really positive throughout it all."

Guthrie had a promising 2024 pre-season after recovering from foot injuries, but suffered a right quad tendon injury that ruled him out of the first half of the season.

He was then sidelined for the rest of the year as he battled an Achilles injury.

"Really hoping that some of the things that have affected his body in the last few years can be put behind him, and he can get back to some really good form and help the team, which I know he can," Guthrie said of his brother.

"He's moving around well, and he's progressed his stuff even since the end of last year, and he's feeling good."

The question is how the 2022 Geelong best and fairest winner gets his spot back in the midfield, when new recruit Bailey Smith is expected to do big things in and around the footy.

Zach Guthrie isn't exactly sure how that group of midfielders will look come their Opening Round match against Brisbane at the Gabba.

"I'm not too sure exactly where that'll fit," he said.

"I think that when you are a player like Bailey ... and you've got a number of strengths you can bring to the game, I think flexibility is something that we can really utilise, and I'm sure he'll play a number of different positions for us and do it at a really high level."

And those killer instincts around the footy, which, like Cam Guthrie, haven't been seen at the elite level since 2023 due to an ACL injury, could prove the "weapon" the Cats need to go one step better.

"I think when you have some of the strengths like someone like him has, I think it'll be a real weapon for us," Guthrie said.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how that evolves."

The Cats went down to Brisbane by just 10 points in last year's preliminary final.