\u201cI think he is in a similar position, potentially touch and go for the first game, but, again, not exactly sure what the timeline is,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n
The absence of Moore and Howe was noticeable against the Giants, for the Magpies were exploited in the air in their defensive 50-metre arc.<\/p>\n
Moore said the Magpies continued to rally around Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who has been granted personal leave. Hill was also absent from the club for periods through 2025, and there is a possibility he may not play this season.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe has clearly taken an extended period of leave. The focus for him, and us, is his wellbeing. We are not putting any timelines or pressure on that. We are respecting Bobby\u2019s space,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n Star midfielder Nick Daicos has said he is likely to be deployed at full-forward at times this season, emulating a role his father Peter, also a blue-chip midfielder, played in the latter years of his premiership-winning career.<\/p>\n Loading<\/p>\n Moore said it was \u201cexciting\u201d to have Daicos spend more time inside attacking the 50, for it would also allow Jamie Elliott \u2013 by far the Magpies\u2019 leading goalkicker (60) last season \u2013 to show his skills further afield.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield said Jeremy Cameron was recovering well from a quad strain, which contributed to the premiership star missing this month\u2019s State of Origin clash and last week\u2019s match simulation against Hawthorn.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHe is on track. Obviously, he had a hiccup with that quad, otherwise he would have played [against Hawthorn]. But all signs, at the moment \u2013 he\u2019s in full training today \u2013 point towards there being no issue around opening round. I would say he will be ready to go,\u201d Dangerfield said.<\/p>\n The Blues host the Cats in a community series clash at Ikon Park on Wednesday. The Cats open their home-and-away campaign with a trip to the Gold Coast to face the Suns.<\/p>\n