Geelong have a number of difficult selection calls to make for this week's preliminary final, with the Cats' near-full-strength squad proving to bring mixed emotions at Kardinia Park.
While Chris Scott will be delighted with the wealth of options he can call on at selection, the number of senior players pressing to return for Saturday's meeting with Brisbane could force some unwanted decisions.
Premiership quartet Tom Stewart (illness/hamstring), Sam De Koning (knee), Tom Hawkins (foot) and Cameron Guthrie (Achilles) are all expected to be available after missing the Cats' 84-point thumping of Port Adelaide over a week ago.
Hawkins hasn't played since Round 15 due to a troublesome foot injury that might mean he's played his last game in the blue and white hoops, having announced this season will be his last.
Young forward Shannon Neale has impressed in Hawkins' absence, booting a goal in all 14 games in 2024 for a return of 23 majors for the year.
One of Hawkins or Neale is set to partner Cameron in Scott's front half, with the Geelong spearhead happy he's not the one deciding who suits up for Saturday's final.
"I'm nowhere near selection, thankfully," Cameron said on Monday.
"It's great to have a full team at this time of the year, it's needed. But at the same time, it's a challenging time as well. What I will say is the guys are training really well and really hard.
"It'll be obviously difficult (if Hawkins isn't picked). He's been through a fair bit this season.
"It's so touch and go with the timing of how his foot is healing and getting back, it's a tight window. He's done everything he could possibly do, working behind the scenes, in the heat room and everything he can to give himself a chance.
"That's all you can really ask."
Guthrie played alongside Hawkins in Geelong's VFL final last weekend and looked comfortable in his first game since mid-May, with quad and Achilles concerns keeping him to just four games this season.
The veteran midfielder is "moving really well" and is another senior Cat in consideration for a recall.
"He's moving really well at training at the moment, that helps us," Cameron added.
"He's one of those blokes who are really diligent with everything he does. He's been super unlucky with his injuries over the last season and the season before as well."
Barring a setback at training, Stewart is a guarantee to come into the Cats' lineup after being a late withdrawal for their qualifying final due to illness.
Cameron confirmed the five-time All-Australian is ready to return to face the Lions at the MCG.
"He's been training really well, Tommy," the Cats forward revealed.
"We've got to get through training this week, but we all sort of do. Tommy is in the same boat. He's going well.
"It's exciting to have him come back in, for sure. We know what Tommy is like and how big he is for the club."
Geelong host Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday at 5:15pm (AEST), with the winner to face either Sydney or Port Adelaide at the same venue a week later in the 2024 AFL Grand Final.
Isn’t it a pity that Geelong is denied a home ground advantage so that the “usual suspects” can scalp tickets and/or reach “KPIs”.
Sydney, because they earned it, get to have a home ground advantage….
Geelong, because they’ve earned it, are penalised by eyes fixed on a dollar sign…..
“Equalisation policy” – a punch line for a joke….. or a name tag for a bundle of money….