GEELONG recruit Stewart Crameri has conceded he's left his run too late for his AFL return in the Cats' season opener on Sunday.

Having played his first competitive game of the pre-season in Friday's VFL practice match, the former Bomber and Bulldog said he would need more time as he overcomes a long-term hip injury.

"I don't think I'll be playing. I just probably need a couple more weeks before I get into the real action," he told K-Rock.

"Usually you get sore after the game. I started getting sore probably in the third quarter, so I probably need a little bit more game time before I play AFL."

Crameri finished with 12 disposals and kicked three behinds on Friday night as a number of Cats put their hand up for round one selection. 

His last match came in the VFL for Footscray on May 13 last year before season-ending hip surgery.

Coach Chris Scott said Crameri's return would be closely managed.

"We've got to think long and hard about what his best introduction into AFL footy is," Scott said on Friday night.

"He's done quite a bit of running volume through the pre-season, so we've got a level of confidence around his overall condition – it's just match practice he's missed."

Crameri will look for more minutes in Sunday's VFL practice match against his former side Footscray at VU Whitten Oval.