JOEL Selwood and Lachie Henderson are in doubt for Saturday night's clash with Essendon at the MCG, with the Geelong pair yet to prove their fitness after suffering injuries on the weekend.
But the Bombers are preparing to welcome back former captain Jobe Watson, with the veteran midfielder a near-certainty to return after being rested on the weekend.
Selwood rolled his ankle against Gold Coast on Saturday night and played out the game, but was on crutches on Sunday.
Henderson was a late withdrawal from the loss to the Suns after copping a bump and injuring his ribs in the warm up.
"He was a bit sore on the weekend," teammate Tom Hawkins said of Selwood on Wednesday.
"We had a light craft session today and he participated in that, so he's going to get an opportunity to train tomorrow and the coaches will sit down and pick the side.
"I'm not sure whether he'll play or not. I know he was there today and participating so we'll wait and see.
"They'll give him every opportunity.
"Lachie will go through the same process Joel will ... he'll get a test and the coaches will pick their side."
Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett confirmed Watson would more than likely return after he gave his 32-year-old body a rest in round seven.
"He's fresh, he's buzzing around the place and I haven't seen him so energetic," Merrett said.
"A few walks on the beach with his dogs and his girlfriend and he's ready to go.
"It will be a tough call for 'Woosha' to leave him out; a guy who's got so much experience and I think he's still playing some fantastic footy.
"He was a bit quiet against Melbourne but I'm sure he'll bounce back on Saturday night."
First-year half back Andy McGrath is also tipped to return after being rested from the trip to Perth to face Fremantle.
Both teams have lost their past two games, with Geelong coach Chris Scott saying the Cats were on their way to becoming "mediocre" with the way they have been playing.
Hawkins said it was a "fair statement" from Scott, who will become just the third man to coach Geelong for 150 games this round.
"We probably feel like we haven't played as connected footy," he said.
"We're a good contested footy side and that certainly hasn't been to the level we know it can be.
"As a collective, we've got to fix things. It's not going to take the defensive, forward or midfield group to play better this weekend or next weekend, it's going to be us as a collective.
"We feel like we're addressing our issues and we'll move forward and only try and get better."
Saturday night's clash with the Bombers is part of this year's Country Festival, which will include a range of pre-match activities including an on-ground ceremony, celebrations in Yarra Park featuring a twilight concert, and an MCG curtain raiser between Geelong and Mornington Peninsula interleague teams.
Hawkins, who has recently bought a farm near Geelong with his wife, said he was enjoying life on the land again after growing up in a regional community.
"I'm having a bit of an issue at home at the moment with one of my cows, so I'll give you an update on Saturday night," he said.
"My father and mother are farmers in Finley in NSW, so I've been out of the farming environment for 15 years.
"But I'm learning the caper again."
He also says he "physically and mentally feels fantastic", and is trying to address his weaknesses after an "up and down" season so far.
