Geelong are weighing up sending Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield for ankle surgery which could sideline him for two months of the AFL season.
Dangerfield flew to Sydney on Tuesday to consult a specialist about a syndesmosis injury which he suffered in Sunday's win against North Melbourne.
Post-match Dangerfield shrugged off the injury as a "minor tweak".
Geelong medicos backed that prognosis before scans revealed a syndesmosis tear which may require surgery and an extended lay-off.
After sending the star on-baller for a second medical opinion, the Cats and Dangerfield are understood to be discussing surgery or whether the 31-year-old can play through the pain.
Dangerfield initially returned to action against the Kangaroos after being hurt late in the third quarter.
But after a brief appearance in the final term, he was benched for the remainder of the match - his first in the AFL since being suspended for three games for rough conduct for an incident in round one.
The Cats, who host West Coast on Saturday, are expected to detail the course of action for Dangerfield later on Wednesday.
