Coach adamant Cats star can fire in September despite his back injury
GEELONG coach Chris Scott remains confident Tom Hawkins can have an impact in September despite admitting his back injury can fluctuate on any given day.
Scott said Hawkins had good days and bad days with the injury and the Cats would keep assessing him week to week.
The ongoing Hawkins discussion is just one of several selection dilemmas for the Cats on the eve of the finals.
Scott expects Nathan Vardy to return to the team next week after being rested as a precaution after receiving a knock to his hip against the Sydney Swans in round 22.
"With Nathan Vardy, it was more [a] precaution than anything. He's had a serious hip injury and whenever there's any hint of some soreness in that area (we take a cautious approach)," Scott said.
"The issue with his hip was different to the cork he got last week but we just thought discretion was the better part of valour this week and it would be likely they he would play."
Cam Guthrie was a late withdrawal before Saturday's contest due to a corked calf. Scott said Guthrie was an important part of the team and his injury was minor.
"He's been a mainstay in our best 22 this year so we'd be very hopeful he'd come back," Scott said.
The team's second ruckman Mark Blicavs landed on his head in a marking contest late in the game against the Lions. He left the ground and did not return but Scott said the prognosis was good.
"He whacked his head a bit. I think he was winded a little bit too," Scott said.
Steven Motlop was subbed off but there was no injury issue. Motlop had a tight hamstring a fortnight ago but he did not miss a game. The explosive forward will be vital during the finals.
The heat is off: Saints' pressure plummets as worrying trend emerges
St Kilda's pressure woes have been central to its best and worst already this season, with the Saints' pressure rating over the past two weeks one of the worst on record
'Back myself in': Dees gun braces for Cats tag
After wearing tags in his last two games, Christian Petracca is predicting more of the same in round eight's blockbuster clash with Geelong
Lacklustre Magpies look to address sluggish starts ahead of Blues clash
Bobby Hill says Collingwood's slow starts to games is something the Magpies need to get right ahead of facing Carlton
'The risk is too great': Crows veteran calls it quits
Rory Sloane announces his retirement, effective immediately, after undergoing eye surgery in the pre-season