Geelong are almost certain to name key forward Tom Hawkins in their team for Friday night’s cut-throat AFL semi-final against Port Adelaide.
But a final decision on whether his ongoing back complaint will allow him to take the field won’t be made until the day of the MCG encounter.
Hawkins was a late withdrawal from last Saturday’s shock home loss to Fremantle and his replacement Josh Walker struggled to impose himself on the match.
Coach Chris Scott said Hawkins – the Cats’ 2012 best and fairest award winner – had shown some encouraging signs on the training track early this week.
He has missed three games this year with the persistent back problem.
“It was a good day yesterday so we’re hoping it will be a good week and most importantly that he feels good on Friday,” said Scott.
“If that’s the case he’ll play, but as we’ve said for the last couple of weeks it really is an issue that can flare suddenly and he can be quite ordinary and not good enough to play and at other times he feels almost normal.
“… As an optimist we’re thinking he’ll be right and close to his best and we’ll certainly play him if that’s the case.
“But it’s a decision that we won’t make for certain until Friday morning.”
If Hawkins is unavailable, Scott flagged the possibility of calling up key forward Shane Kersten to make his AFL debut in a finals match.
Kersten, 20, has been close to a senior debut several times this year, only to be cut down with injury.
Triple premiership star Corey Enright is certain to miss Friday night’s clash with red-hot Port Adelaide, after injuring a knee in the 15-point loss the Dockers.
Josh Hunt and Taylor Hunt are among those in contention to replace Enright in the Geelong backline.