GEELONG is confident its defensive group can handle Hawthorn's dangerous small forwards in Friday night's qualifying final.
While mobile forward Jack Gunston tops the Hawks' goalkicking list with 48 majors, Cyril Rioli (44), Luke Breust (43) and Paul Puopolo (33) have kicked 120 of Hawthorn's 312 goals this season.
The trio were restricted to five goals between them in round one and Cats' coach Chris Scott was impressed with the way his defenders adapted to the opposition in that encounter.
"I don't think that round one is a going to be a huge pointer to what we are going to see on Friday night, but if you do look back we played a pretty tall defensive group against their smalls," Scott said.
"Their smalls did hurt us a little bit, particularly in that third quarter, but for the most part of the game our taller defenders looked mobile enough to handle the threat."
Scott laughed at the idea of anyone putting their hand up to play on Rioli, but said the Cats had a few candidates to take on the Hawks' superstar.
Among them would be experienced duo Corey Enright and Andrew Mackie, or the less-experienced Jake Kolodjashnij, Tom Ruggles or Jed Bews.
The Cats remain hopeful Lachie Henderson will have overcome a knee injury in time to play, but he appears extremely doubtful.
Scott said they would be crazy to risk him in week one of the finals with the double chance in play.
Scott Selwood looks set to play, while exciting young forward Nakia Cockatoo remains in the selection mix after two VFL games following a knee injury.
Cockatoo's defensive pressure was outstanding in the VFL final against Essendon on Saturday, and with wet weather forecast for Friday night he might provide an X-factor.
Scott said the Cats would need to find a good mix of attack and defence to succeed against the creative Hawthorn backline.
"You can't just be completely defensive against them either. You need to find a way to make them defend and keep them accountable as well," Scott said.
Shane Kersten did the job on Josh Gibson last time but he would be a surprise selection after being left out of the final round, although the Cats will keep its VFL squad training until at least the end of the week so it can call on any players it deems necessary.
