VERSATILE tall Sam De Koning is set to return from injury in a huge boost for Geelong for their qualifying final with Port Adelaide on Thursday night.
Sidelined by a knee injury a month ago, De Koning underwent minor surgery and missed the last three home-and-away rounds as the Cats locked away a top-four spot.
The 23-year-old impressed in his comeback in a VFL finals loss to Werribee on Saturday, gathering 23 hit-outs and 18 disposals in the ruck.
Cats teammate Mark Blicavs expects De Koning to be given the green light to face the Power at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
"I thought he was great and he got through," Blicavs said on Sunday.
"We'll wait and see in terms of the selection, but he jumped well as a ruckman and looked really good.
"We'll have a couple more training sessions for the coaches to tick that off, but we've got a really healthy list."
De Koning made his name in defence - where he featured in Geelong's 2022 premiership side - but has also shone in the ruck this season.
Blicavs suggested the emerging star's role against Port Adelaide could be determined by how well he recovers from his VFL hit-out.
"It's one tactically for the coaches and they're probably still working that out and seeing how he pulled up from the game as well, post-surgery," Blicavs said.
"He's a great defender and we can obviously put him in the ruck as well, so that's definitely up for discussion."
Geelong's star utility Tom Stewart (hamstring) and emerging half-back Lawson Humphries (calf) are both available to play against Port Adelaide, despite failing to finish the round-24 win over West Coast.
The Cats said the pair had been managed that day with minor concerns and have both since been given the green light for September.
Key forward Tom Hawkins (foot) remains in contention to return during the finals despite an extended injury lay-off, while fellow veteran Cam Guthrie (achilles) is also yet to be ruled out.
"With what they've done in the past, their experiences and the big games they've played in, we'd have the utmost confidence to bring them back straight away," Blicavs said.
"They just need to be confident in their bodies that they can play out a full game.
"They would want to go into the game thinking that they can play the four quarters, play well and give themselves the best shot."
Geelong were narrowly beaten at home in their last meeting with Port Adelaide, who blew the Cats away in the first half before withstanding a late fightback.
The Power midfield, led by All-Australian Zak Butters, red-hot Jason Horne-Francis and captain Connor Rozee, has Geelong on guard.
"Their whole midfield is the strength and they showed that last time we played them here," Blicavs said.
"They had a great first half and Horne-Francis was one of them that led the way through the centre bounces.
"We'll need to be sharp because they start games well and the atmosphere's going to be high.
"We need to settle our nerves and play with calmness and composure. It's going to be a good battle in there."
