GEELONG defender Harry Taylor says teammate Andrew Mackie has taken last week's omission on the chin, although his prospects of a recall are no clearer.
Mackie and ruckman Mark Blake were the casualties of the Cats' qualifying loss to St Kilda and watched the semi-final win over Fremantle from the stands.
Coach Mark Thompson has already confirmed that Tom Lonergan will retain his spot, making for a tough selection meeting ahead of Friday night's preliminary final against Collingwood.
Taylor was uncertain of the decisions his coaches could make.
"[Mackie] has been training really hard and they'll pick the best side that they think is going to beat Collingwood, and whether that's got him in it or not, I'm not sure at this stage," Taylor said.
Mackie, a member of the Cats' 2007 and 2009 premiership sides, has been a key part of the backline throughout the club's dominant run of the last four seasons.
Taylor said the 26-year-old's attitude and work ethic would give him every possible chance of returning to the side.
"He took it (the omission) on board. He's a very strong individual and he's got a lot of great mates to get around him, and we all did," he said.
"He went away and was told the things he needs to work on and he's been working on them as hard as anybody to make sure he gets back in the team."
Named in the 2010 All Australian team on Monday night, Taylor is expecting to play on Pie forward Travis Cloke on Friday night - a duel that seems certain to be overshadowed by Gary Ablett and Dane Swan.
The Brownlow Medallist started on Swan when the Cats and Pies met in round 19, but was pushed forward later in the game.
Ablett said he hoped to play on Swan, voted the AFLPA MVP for 2010, for the entire game this time.
"I'll be asking the coaches that when he comes off, bring me off so we can play on each other all game and see how we go," he said.
"It would be a good challenge and a lot of fun."
Ablett, who won his fourth-straight All Australian guernsey on Monday night, admitted Paul Chapman's increased time in the midfield had been behind his move into attack.
However, he said the switch had made the side more versatile.
"I think it's good that we rotate a lot through the midfield and the forward line," Ablett said.
"The coaching staff really wanted me to play more up forward this year and kick a few goals.
"As much as I wasn't happy when they first told me, I enjoyed the role in the end."