Former Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel is in doubt for the Cats clash with the Lions on the weekend after a mid-season trip to the US.
Jimmy Bartel joins Geelong training this week after returning from the US. Picture: Karen Dodd Source: Geelong Advertiser
WAS it a smart move by Geelong to let Jimmy Bartel fly to the US during the mid-year break?
Bartel is a 50-50 chance to play against Brisbane on Sunday after returning from his whirlwind trip to Texas.
The Cats say he is fit to play if required, but if he sits the game out there will be questions asked — by the 98,000 SuperCoach players with Bartel in their side for starters — about why the Brownlow medallist was given a leave pass to watch the NBA finals in San Antonio.
Bartel wasn't the only Cat to get away from it all during the bye, but he did earn the most frequent flyer points.
Joel Selwood and Tom Hawkins hit the Hamilton Island golf course and Steve Johnson enjoyed the comforts of Daylesford in central Victoria. Taylor Hunt, meanwhile, was cheering on the Socceroos against Jordan at Etihad Stadium.
Bartel was courtside watching Patty Mills and the Spurs take on the Miami Heat.
He posted the photo below on his Instagram account, with the comment "One of the greatest experiences ever. Game 3&4 NBA Finals. With @kentjk. Thanks to the great Patty Mills and @thelighthaus for the hook up. #happyasapiginpoo #pattyisalegend #towelwaves #whataseries."
Cats coach Chris Scott this week backed Bartel's holiday, although he admitted not everyone at the club was happy to wave Jimmy off at the airport.
"His program over the break was well planned and we spent quite a bit of time on it,'' Scott said.
"The proof will be in the pudding. But I'd be very surprised if Jimmy Bartel doesn't play great footy in the last half of the season.
"We understand that people out there in the football world will have differing views (about the overseas trip). To be honest, there are differing views within our football club as well. But it was a well-considered decision and one that we're very, very comfortable with."
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Bartel's former teammate Cameron Mooney said today he didn't have an issue with Bartel's trip.
"If it was a young player, I'd say no, I would have been the wrong call," Mooney said on SEN.
"But an experienced player, a 200-game player, and someone extremely professional, id have no problem with that."
Scott said Bartel came back "in pretty good shape".
"He certainly would be available to play if we absolutely needed him to this week.
"But we consider more than this week when we manage our players, so if it's going to be better for him later in the season not to play (against Brisbane), then we'll probably do that."
If Bartel isn't in the Cats' 22, look for some A-grade towel waving from the bench.
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