GEELONG coach Chris Scott is backing star forward Jeremy Cameron to regain form, declaring the versatile forward among a trio of stars primed to step up in the semi-final against Fremantle.
On Tuesday, Scott said Cameron and speedster Max Holmes had pulled up well from last Friday night's elimination final win over Carlton, as had captain Patrick Dangerfield, who led from the front with five goals against the Blues.
But the news isn't so good for midfielder James Worpel, whose first season with the Cats will end on the sidelines with a hamstring injury that is worse than first thought.
Cameron, in his second game back from shoulder surgery, had only nine disposals against Carlton while playing mainly on the wing and in defence.
The 33-year-old has lingering issues after breaking his right arm in last year's Grand Final loss, needed right shoulder surgery in July and has also battled a hip issue throughout 2026.
"It hasn't been a smooth season for him," Scott said.
"But we think his preparation post that surgery – where he was able to run a lot, get a couple of home and away games, a week off and then an AFL final – leaves him in really good shape to perform well."
Scott indicated Geelong will have almost a full team to pick from for Friday night's do-or-die clash with the minor premier at Optus Stadium, pleased with Holmes' return to action.
Holmes tallied 16 disposals and one goal against Carlton after six weeks out with a foot and ankle injury, but played only 60 per cent of the game.
"We were really clear in our approach with Cameron and Holmes in particular," Scott said.
"There's always a bit of uncertainty as to how things are going to play out, but in terms of what we were after, it was pretty close to exactly what we were hoping for in terms of their physical preparation.
"That is to say that we think they'll be better this week than they were last week."
Questions have been raised over Dangerfield's ability to back-up the finals masterclass he produced against the Blues, with critics noting his flat Grand Final last year after a brilliant preliminary final performance.
"There's always a little bit of talk about Patty, I guess, and the recent history was when he dominates a final that he might be a little bit sore the next week," Scott said.
"But that possibility is something we're aware of as well and it gives us the opportunity to sort of think about how we manage him.
"There's also a bit of luck as well. He got a really bad cork in the Grand Final and sometimes those things happen.
"You can't plan for them and there's not much you can do about it. What we do know is he's come off this game well."
Former Hawthorn midfielder Worpel suffered a hamstring strain last month and had been considered a chance to return during the Cats' finals campaign, but is now unlikely to play again until next season.
"He won't be playing for at least a few weeks and there's a chance that he'll struggle to get back at all, unfortunately, with that hamstring," Scott said.
Cats defender Jake Kolodjashnij is also still unavailable amid the fallout from his concussion saga, which led to the club being fined $140,000 by the AFL for failing to disclose the waiver in his contract.
