Cameron Delaney Biography

Geelong beings a cleanout of its list following the end of their 2016 season, releasing rookies Zac Bates, Cameron Delaney, Padraig Lucey, Tom Read and Jock Cornell ahead of the upcoming trade period.

Forgotten Geelong rookie Cam Delaney is set to play his first game for more than a year when he takes to the field for the Cats' VFL team at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.

The 23-year-old defender played six games in four seasons with North Melbourne but only managed two VFL games in 2014 after struggling with foot and toe problems since he last played senior football in round 18, 2013.

Geelong physiotherapist Mark Young told CatsTV that the club had set the bar high for Delaney to give him the best chance of success when he finally returned.

"He has had to complete a full month of training [with] several weeks of running," Young said.

"It was important he was confident in his body but he is all set to make his debut for the Cats this weekend."

Cameron Delaney's long battle with a toe injury has finally taken a positive turn after the 22-year-old resumed running last week.

Cats' football manager Steve Hocking said that the club was pleased Delaney was heading in the right direction but everyone was aware he remained in the early stages of recovery.

Delaney's running consists of light strides at the moment but he is expected to gradually step up his running.

"Hopefully it progresses the right way, whereby at the end of an 8-10-week block of training he is back into the full group," Hocking said.

Geelong swoops on delisted North Melbourne defender Cameron Delaney with pick No.32 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"We understand that he's got to overcome some injuries, but if he does he will fit in well for us," Cats list and recruiting manager Stephen Wells said.

"We think Cam's a very versatile player and he's shown already that he can play at AFL level."

Liam Anthony, Taylor Hine, Robin Nahas, Mitch Wilkins, Tom Curran, Cameron Delaney and rookies Tim McGenniss and Max Warren have all been delisted by the Kangaroos.

Cameron Delaney's season is over after half a game in the VFL, with the North Melbourne key defender set to have surgery on his left big toe.

Delaney had surgery on the same toe late last year after injuring it against Melbourne in round 18, but has continued to be troubled by it since.

The 22-year-old finally returned in the VFL with North Ballarat four weeks ago, coming on after half-time and playing the final two quarters.

But Delaney pulled up so sore after the match that he struggled to walk for a few days afterwards.

"I can look forward to having a strong pre-season and come back for next year," Delaney said about opting for surgery.

"I'm pretty keen to get it right and give myself the best opportunity and the best chance to have a good year next year."

Cameron Delaney's 2014 season could be over after just half a VFL game, with the North Melbourne key defender struggling to shake a toe injury that's dogged him since August last year.

North football director Geoff Walsh told AFL.com.au on Thursday that Delaney's injury was "bone-related" and the club was seeking "a third opinion" from a medical specialist in the hope the 22-year-old could avoid further surgery.

"We obviously don't want to take the big step of any further surgical intervention until we're 100 per cent sure that's what we should do," Walsh said.

"So we're just seeking another opinion from a specialist that we haven't consulted before.

"We're just trying to make sure that if we have to intervene from a surgical point of view that that's the only way to go."

North Melbourne has re-signed 2010 draftees Cameron Delaney and Ben Mabon.

"In the coming years when we've still got a few key-position players, hopefully my agility and ability to play on smalls and third talls will help me keep a spot in defence," Dalaney said.

Mabon says working with senior players Hamish McIntosh and Todd Goldstein has helped with his development as a ruckman.

"Hamish is a ball magnet and tells me where to run when I go through the vision of my games with him every week, and on the track 'Goldy' is an elite runner and a genuinely good tap ruckman," Mabon said.

"It's fantastic to learn off both of them and I'm try to take as much in as I can."

Cameron Delaney makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena with 19 disposals (6 kicks and 13 handballs), 5 marks and a tackle in a 129-point win over GWS.