GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield played through Friday night's qualifying final loss to Port Adelaide with a nasty right hand injury. 

AFL.com.au understands the 31-year-old suffered a fracture in the round 23 loss to Melbourne which required treatment ahead of the first final.

Dangerfield collected 23 disposals against the Power but was down on his usual output, going at 59 per cent efficiency.

The midfielder was seen with tape connecting his ring and small fingers while playing with extra protection for his ring finger against the Power.

He also appeared in discomfort at the start of the third term and uncharacteristically dropped a regulation mark just minutes later which led to a running Orazio Fantasia goal.

The Cats confirmed Dangerfield was carrying a hand injury when contacted on Sunday night but opted not to provide further details.

Dangerfield isn't expected to be in doubt for the Cats' semi-final against Greater Western Sydney on Friday night at Optus Stadium but it's an injury that may require further assessment at season's end.

Skipper Joel Selwood, who will break Geelong's games record against GWS this week, is backing Dangerfield to play through the pain.

"He'll (Dangerfield) probably just handle the balls a little bit more this week just to work out how to best use it," Selwood said ahead of his 333rd game.

"But he's played with a number of injuries throughout his career so it's not something new to him.

"Being a teammate of Patty, he's one that I want to take to the field with come finals time."

Cats defender Mark O'Connor will miss the clash after sustaining his second left hamstring injury of the year against the Power.

His setback opens the door for fellow Irishman Zach Tuohy to return from his own hamstring strain as a like-for-like replace in defence.