POWERHOUSE Geelong forward Tom Hawkins is set to miss next week's preliminary final with Richmond after being hit with a one-match ban for his off-the-ball strike on West Coast defender Will Schofield on Friday night.

On a night when the Cats avoided slumping to a straight-sets finals exit after finishing on top of the ladder, the Virgin Australia AFL All Australian full-forward was charged with striking Schofield in the third term with his right arm.

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Match Review Officer Michael Christian assessed the incident as high contact, intentional conduct and low impact.

Schofield stayed down for a little while and looked dazed as Hawkins came over to check on the veteran Eagle and seemingly offer an apology.

Given there is no risk of longer sanction, the Cats seem likely to challenge the ban at the Tribunal, which will likely be held on Monday night.

Hawkins starred as Geelong defeated the reigning premier, busting out of a mini-slump to boot four goals, as well as clunking four contested marks.

The 31-year-old has bagged 56 goals in 2019 and is ranked No.4 in the competition for marks inside-50 per game, and No.7 for average score involvements and average goal assists.

Hawkins slotted four goals last time Geelong faced Richmond, when it ran away to post a 67-point victory at the MCG in round 12.

If he is absent against the Tigers, more will be asked of fellow Cats tall Esava Ratugolea, who impressed against West Coast but is just 21 and has lined up in 27 games throughout his career.

One option for coach Chris Scott would be to deploy superstar Patrick Dangerfield in attack, after he provided a timely reminder of his ability to clunk pack grabs in an influential fourth quarter on Friday.

Speedster Gary Rohan will push to return after a left knee problem kept him out against the Eagles but it seems improbable gun midfielder Mitch Duncan will overcome his own left knee issue to play again this year.

Harry Taylor can spend time up forward, as can Lachie Henderson, who played the final four games of the home and away campaign before being dropped for the club's qualifying final loss to Collingwood.

Meanwhile, Geelong defender Tom Stewart's high bump on star Eagle Elliot Yeo was assessed, but it was the view of the MRO that there was insufficient force to constitute a reportable offence. 

Tom Hawkins' Match Review history