At this stage of the season, it’s not uncommon for injured players from teams outside of the top eight to go in for early surgeries and begin preparing for 2014.

That’s far from the case with Lions midfielder Brent Moloney.

When Moloney was subbed out of the Lions’ Round 20 match against Richmond after re-injuring his hamstring, it looked as though his first season with a new club was all but over.

But the former Melbourne best and fairest has taken some positive steps to making an unlikely comeback for team’s 2013 swansong against another of his former clubs, Geelong, at Simonds Stadium.  

“He’s still a chance. He’s pulled up pretty well,” Brett Burton told LIONS TV as part of the regular Bupa Recovery Report.

“He’s up and running at around 90% now. He trained this morning, and trained again Thursday.

“We should get a good session in him on Saturday, and we’ll assess him from there.
He’s pretty keen to play in the last round.”

Another player in a race against time to return before the season finishes is Simon Black, who has struggled this week with his troublesome groin.

Black is a definite non-starter for Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs due to a one-match suspension, however there is hope he could also return for the Cats match.   

“He pulled up a bit sore in the adductor, which is an issue he’s had over the last couple of weeks,” Burton said.

“He’s obviously suspended this week so we’ll take it easy with him. He would have been touch and go to be available this weekend anyway with the groin.

“We’ll see how the week progresses and aim to get him up for Round 23 against Geelong.”

In better news, Mitch Golby’s corked thigh should not hinder his chances of facing the Dogs, while recently re-signed Pearce Hanley is also expected to play.

“Pearce had a bit of a sore hip flexor. It’s something he could’ve continued on with, we just didn’t want to take a risk with it,” Burton said.

“He’s pulled up pretty well. We’ll aim to give him a run on Thursday and see how he goes from there.”