Geelong will weigh up a string of selection calls this week, with the return of captain Patrick Dangerfield arguably the most certain move for Chris Scott to make ahead of Sunday's clash with North Melbourne.
Dangerfield has missed the Cats' last two games with a hamstring issue and had strongly improved in the last week, with Geelong taking a cautious approach in the 34-year-old's recovery.
The veteran midfielder is expected to face the Roos at GMHBA Stadium this weekend, while Jake Kolodjashnij (quad) and Zach Tuohy (ankle) are also set to be available for Round 5 despite recent niggles in the aftermath of the club's Round 4 win over the Western Bulldogs.
Speaking to media on Thursday, Scott confirmed Dangerfield should be cleared to face the Roos.
"He's looking really good," the Cats coach said.
"Today will tell us a little bit more, but to be frank, to my eye, he was looking good a week ago.
"We've been clear that we would be conservative in his return, and we're still thinking that way, but starting to get to the point where we're struggling to come up with reasons for him not to play."
Veteran pair Cameron Guthrie (quad) and Gary Rohan (back) are nearing their own returns from separate ailments, with the latter set to play at VFL level this weekend when the Cats' reserves go head-to-head with the Northern Bullants.
One player who has been among the positives at the state league level for Geelong this year is 2023 Mid-Season Draft addition Mitch Hardie, who was added to the Cats' list as a mature-aged recruit out of Woodville-West Torrens.
Hardie is averaging 25.5 disposals. 6.5 clearances and five tackles per game across the Cats' opening two games in the VFL to place his hand up for a potential AFL debut.
Scott expressed his confidence in Hardie being ready for the elite level should the selection committee soon look his way
"He's doing everything right," Scott added.
"For those that don't know, we brought Mitch in through the Mid-Season Draft last year and he's just made every post a winner. He works on his game really hard and he's improving all the time.
"I guess our assessment would be that if the opportunity arises for him to play AFL footy he'll be ready."
Young ruckman Toby Conway is another who is placing some pressure on the senior squad, having thrived in his second AFL match in Round 3 against Hawthorn in the absence of premiership tall Rhys Stanley.
Stanley, who has acted as a mentor for Conway, could find himself rucking alongside the Cats' project youngster in the near future, with a two-ruck system a "live option" for the Cats to consider this week.
"We're thinking about it," Scott said of naming both Conway and Stanley.
"We're not in a position in our preparation this week to roll out our plans just yet, but it's a live option for us.
"We consider those two to be a partnership, we've got other options in the ruck, but use them both throughout the year. The priority for Toby is making sure we don't cut any corners in making sure he's a really consistent decade-long player for us."
Geelong will play North Melbourne at Kardinia Park on Sunday at 1:00pm (AEST) as they look to make it five wins from as many games to start the season.
