TRIPLE premiership forward Cameron Mooney is set to make his long-awaited return to the Geelong team.

Mooney, who continues to suffer from a chronic knee problem, has played his past six matches in the VFL as he endeavours to prove his fitness ahead of the finals.

But he could make his AFL comeback as soon as Saturday's game against Melbourne at Skilled Stadium.

"The time's about right," Geelong coach Chris Scott said on Tuesday. "I've always said about six weeks [out from the finals].

"August and September were the key times for him. While we're not guaranteeing he'll play this week, it's either this week or next week."

Mooney has kicked 19 goals during his VFL stint, and the 31-year-old added another four to his tally last Sunday when the Cats' reserves suffered a 30-point loss to the Bendigo Bombers.

"I don't think the goals are really a factor," Scott said. "I've said all along it was more about his physical condition.

"I'm supremely confident that if he's in his best shape, and playing close to his best footy, then he's in our best 22. There's no doubt about that.

"The question was: 'Can he get back to somewhere near his best shape?'

"It's not a foregone conclusion, but he's done enough to suggest to us that he needs to test it at the top level.

"But when I say we've got a plan, it's not hard and fast. We've got to keep assessing it day by day and week by week.

"And we don't know what we're going to get from him at senior level.

"He doesn't know either, but he's done the work required to get himself to this point where he's in contention."

Scott refused to say whether Mooney was greater than a 50 per cent chance to line up in the AFL this weekend.

"I don't think that's fair to do that," he said. "What I'm happy to say is that he'll be in the squad for this week and if he doesn't play this week, and plays well again at VFL level, then he's an even better chance for next week."