Johnson back in a week

GEELONG coach Mark Thompson says forward Steve Johnson could be back as early as next week if the Cats lose to the Bulldogs in the second qualifying final on Saturday.

Johnson has just had surgery on his troublesome hip adductor after consulting a Tasmanian specialist.

Thompson said Johnson was most likely to miss this week, but could be available after that.

"He's already knocked on my door, asking if he can play, but we probably won't play him this week," Thompson said.

"He's a very good chance to play next week, which is remarkable I know, and you probably won't believe me, but that's the truth."

The Cats have been belted around by injury this year, but are starting to get something approaching their best team back on the park.

Paul Chapman tweaked his hamstring early in the match against Adelaide in round 18, but still kicked six for the match.

However, he's only played one game since then – round 21 – and Thompson wouldn't be drawn on his chances of playing, but said the team might look to roll the dice a little.

"He's coming along OK – he's a chance to play, but we're not saying he's going to play or not going to play at this stage.

"He's got to get through training tomorrow, and then we'll see how he pulls up from that – that's all we can do at this stage.

"We've been conservative all year – I think that this time around we've got to pick a side that's going to give ourselves the best chance of winning.

"Paul Chapman's obviously a very important player and it would be great to have him play, and we'll make that decision when we do, and we'll make it based on us believing that he can get through the game."

Max Rooke (quad) and David Wojcinski (ankle) are also worries for the medical staff.

"I think Wojo will be OK – he's had a bit of a sore ankle for a couple of weeks, but it's at the level where he can play," Thompson said.

"And Rooky, he's still got a bit of work to do, but again I can't tell you whether he's more of a chance or not to play.

"He probably is more of a chance to play but we're not saying he is going to play definitely."

But Brad Ottens, the Cats' star ruckman who returned on the weekend for his first AFL game since round two, is a definite for the weekend.

"We've been honest – we weren't sure whether he'd get back," Thompson said.

"We played him four weeks in the VFL, and it wasn't until that last match that he really did show that he could run freely and he looked like he knew where the ball was going and his timing was back.

"It was just outstanding, just his presence in the team last week; I think it lifted everybody.

"It's really exciting – he's worked extremely hard during the year, and it's really lonely and tiresome when you are injured and he didn't know whether he was going to get back or not, so to have him come back in last week, and play the way he did, has given the whole club a big lift."