The odds keep leaning Hawthorn’s way, with Geelong star Corey Enright ruled out of Friday night’s blockbuster AFL preliminary final.

Enright was always in serious doubt for the MCG clash, having missed last weekend’s win over Port Adelaide after straining the medial ligament in his right knee in the preceding qualifying final loss to Fremantle.

After failing to train on Wednesday, the Cats officially acknowledged Enright, 32, had run out of time to make a miracle recovery.

“He’s come in pretty well this week, but we won’t be playing him this week,” Cats football manager Neil Balme said.

It remains unclear whether Enright will recover in time should Geelong make the grand final.

“That’s another question for another day, but we’re pretty happy with the way he’s going,” Balme said.

Geelong have already lost another triple premiership star in veteran forward Paul Chapman to suspension.

Enright’s ongoing absence leaves the Cats without one of their most capable defenders.

By contrast, Hawthorn have had the week off and will definitely welcome Lance Franklin back from suspension, with fellow forward Cyril Rioli also likely to resume from an ankle injury.

It puts plenty of pressure on Geelong’s solid group of young players, who have developed impressively this season.

They will have to step up in a pressure-packed encounter as Hawthorn strive to end their remarkable 11-game losing streak against the Cats.

That also means the leadership of teammates such as Andrew Mackie will be critical.

The 29-year-old was rewarded for another consistent season on Monday when he made his first All-Australian team.

Geelong are renowned for their team culture and Mackie is proud to have joined the leadership group.

“I’ve really enjoyed it – I guess I haven’t had the role officially in the past, but I’ve had a bit to say out on the ground as far as setting up structurally, that sort of thing,” he said.

“It’s a broad role.

“You talk about the games and how they’re going and then you have a bit more interest in what the overall welfare is of other players in your team.”

The honour is a far cry from three years ago, when Mackie was dropped during the finals.

“When that time came, I sat down and thought `you know what, I’m going to work as hard on my game as I have ever done’,” he said.

“To be able to get recognised a year or two after that is great.

“People have shown interest in me, genuinely, to try and help me out and improve me.

“I will never forget that.”

The key issue for Mackie has been balancing his attacking instincts with the need to defend.

“I finish a game and I always think about what I’ve stuffed up or done wrong – that’s just the way I am,” Mackie said.

“The early days, the balance probably wasn’t what it is now.”