FORWARD Stewart Crameri is under strong consideration to make his debut for Geelong, after Daniel Menzel was ruled out of Saturday's clash with Sydney with a groin injury.
Crameri has played five consecutive matches in the VFL after a delayed start to the pre-season with an ongoing hip complaint.
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"That's a live option for us, but there are a few pieces of the jigsaw that we just need to work through today before we're definitive," coach Chris Scott said on Thursday.
"I'd love to say we're playing him and if we knew I'd tell you, but we're just not at that point yet.
"He's played enough footy for us to consider him and he's played well enough. That's really positive for Stewy, we're really pleased with the way his body's going and the way he's performing.
Scott was confident Menzel's groin setback wasn't a long-term concern, instead looking to manage the forward after a blistering start to 2018.
"It's not serious in the short-term, but hopefully that's because we're ahead of it," Scott said.
"He's a heavily-managed player, he's had ongoing issues with not just his knees, but his groin as well.
"He was going really well this time last year, and the reflection from Dan in particular was we waited a little bit too long before we intervened.
"We've all been on high alert as to his status, and if he showed any symptoms we were determined, irrespective of the opposition, to intervene.
"The likelihood is that he'll come back next week, but we're not going to guarantee it."
Midfielder Scott Selwood trained away from the main group in the early stages of Thursday's session, but will be given every chance to play after suffering concussion last week.
"We're not getting any negative feedback," Scott said.
"Any symptomatic issues by this stage of the week would probably lead to him being ruled out, but that hasn't happened.
"We're optimistic, but being conservative will be our bias. Chances are, if he's a possibility, we'll name him (on Thursday night)."
Tom Hawkins is set to return after he was a late withdrawal last week with back spasms, and ran alongside superstar Gary Ablett, who will be put on ice for at least one more week.
Small forward Cory Gregson will "almost certainly" take on the Swans after missing one week with a midfoot sprain.
Scott said the Cats would be wary of Sydney on the rebound at GMHBA Stadium, despite missing stars Lance Franklin (heel) and Dan Hannebery (groin).
"It's folly to think it's going to be easier because he's (Franklin) not playing, I put Hannebery in the same bracket as well," he said.
"I can only answer it by saying I'm happier that he's (Franklin) not playing than if he was playing."
