GEELONG is set to be given a Round 1 boost, with star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield to play against Melbourne on Sunday, barring any further mishap.

Foxfooty.com.au understands the Brownlow Medallist went for a jog away from the club on Monday morning and pulled up well enough to put himself in the frame for selection.

Doubts emerged over Dangerfield’s hamstring following Geelong’s second JLT Community Series game against Essendon.

But these concerns have lessened in some quarters inside the Cattery in recent days, but coach Chris Scott remained tightlipped when quizzed on Dangerfield’s availability on Monday night.

Round 18

“He’s still a chance. I think there are some people at our club, myself included, that would like to be definitive now,” Scott said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

“I guess it’s a good sign in terms of his recovery that we’re not in a position where we can say, ‘look he’s not playing, but we think he might be right for next week or the week after’.

“He’s going well in his own mind and doesn’t want to rule it out. I think that’s a really good sign for Round 2 and 3 in particular.

“I think more and more clubs are realising that it’s best to resist the temptation to see Round 1 as the finish line; we’ve got to take a bit more of a longer view.”

Scott confirmed dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett will play the Demons on Sunday after overcoming hamstring concerns of his own.

Melbourne is already without Jack Viney and is likely to miss Tom McDonald too. Clayton Oliver needs to prove his fitness at training on Thursday after sustaining a knock to his right knee against St Kilda in JLT 2.

Geelong coach Chris Scott will address Dangerfield’s fitness and selection availability on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 tonight.