STEVE Motlop and Dan Menzel and are back in the selection frame for Geelong's blockbuster clash against Richmond at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
The talented Cats have missed the past two weeks due to nagging groin issues and general soreness respectively and Geelong was not definitive initially about how long they would be sidelined.
However, after losing skipper Joel Selwood to injury and experienced duo Mitch Duncan and Tom Hawkins to suspension, the Cats confirmed to AFL.com.au that Motlop and Menzel are potential starters.
Menzel has kicked 34 goals in 14 games this season and the Cats were keen to avoid a repeat of last season when he played just two of the final five games and missed the preliminary final due to soreness.
Motlop has been battling to have an impact after the bye but has been carrying a minor groin ailment. The Cats have been determined to ensure he is fresh enough to get back to his best in the latter half of the season.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said last Thursday the pair's time on the sidelines could stretch to three or four weeks but he was not definitive about how long they would be out saying at the time the Cats had "resisted the temptation to bring those guys back".
The Cats were poor early in the game defensively on Friday night conceding 7.5 (47) in the first quarter and despite fighting back they could not convert opportunities against the Swans.
The Cats will get back reigning Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield after he missed last week due to suspension and they have rookie Jamaine Jones in good VFL form.
Jones impressed with a strong display against Box Hill in Saturday's match and the youngster would need to be elevated to the senior list to be able to make his AFL debut.
The Cats' depth is being tested with Selwood having an operation on his ankle on Monday and Lincoln McCarthy calling a close on his season with a hip operation.
Mark Blicavs is out with an ankle injury until the end of the home and away season after Adelaide's Rory Sloane laid a crude tackle on the utility and Nakia Cockatoo re-injured his hamstring in round 19 against Carlton.
George Horlin-Smith did not play in the VFL and has been missing since hurting his ankle at training after round 14.
Geelong has used 36 players and had eight players make their debut in 2017.
Its team lastFriday night against Sydney was its least experienced team in terms of games played since round two against North Melbourne, with six players in the line-up having played fewer than 20 games.
