GEELONG coach Chris Scott remains confident Tom Hawkins can have an impact in September despite admitting his back injury can fluctuate on any given day.
Scott said Hawkins had good days and bad days with the injury and the Cats would keep assessing him week to week.
"If he wakes up the day of the game and feels great he's pretty much normal and can have his usual impact. Today I don't think he was feeling great, but it's not too different to other weeks this year," Scott said after the Cats snuck home by one point against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
The ongoing Hawkins discussion is just one of several selection dilemmas for the Cats on the eve of the finals.
Scott expects Nathan Vardy to return to the team next week after being rested as a precaution after receiving a knock to his hip against the Sydney Swans in round 22.
"With Nathan Vardy, it was more [a] precaution than anything. He's had a serious hip injury and whenever there's any hint of some soreness in that area (we take a cautious approach)," Scott said.
"The issue with his hip was different to the cork he got last week but we just thought discretion was the better part of valour this week and it would be likely they he would play."
Cam Guthrie was a late withdrawal before Saturday's contest due to a corked calf. Scott said Guthrie was an important part of the team and his injury was minor.
"He's been a mainstay in our best 22 this year so we'd be very hopeful he'd come back," Scott said.
The team's second ruckman Mark Blicavs landed on his head in a marking contest late in the game against the Lions. He left the ground and did not return but Scott said the prognosis was good.
"He whacked his head a bit. I think he was winded a little bit too," Scott said.
Steven Motlop was subbed off but there was no injury issue. Motlop had a tight hamstring a fortnight ago but he did not miss a game. The explosive forward will be vital during the finals.
