GEELONG midfielder Scott Selwood will not play for the Cats' VFL team against Essendon on Saturday despite being eligible to play in the first week of the VFL finals.

The Cats have decided to take advantage of the bye so Selwood will be fresh if Geelong chooses to play him in the qualifying final against Hawthorn next Friday night at the MCG.

Selwood was a late withdrawal for the final game against Melbourne after reporting hamstring tightness, but Geelong coach Chris Scott said post-match it was a cautious move, and he hoped Selwood would be fit for the finals series.

"Without guaranteeing it, we are optimistic he will be available," Scott said.

The 26-year-old had performed well in three consecutive games before missing round 23 and looked to have cemented his place in the senior team.

A noted run-with player, Selwood will certainly come under consideration to play on Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell in the huge final between second-placed Geelong and third-placed Hawthorn that will give the winner a spot in a home preliminary final. 

Selwood has only played in seven games this season (four VFL and three AFL) after overcoming a foot injury that required surgery in the pre-season.

He crossed from West Coast in the off-season as a free agent after 135 games with the Eagles.

His absence from the final AFL game had made him automatically eligible to play for the Geelong VFL team in week one of the VFL finals because the Cats' AFL team is still in the finals. 

The Cats included Jed Bews as a late inclusion against Melbourne after Selwood withdrew and are sweating on the fitness of defender Lachie Henderson, who had an operation on his knee before round 23.

The Cats have said Henderson is in a race against time to be available to play against the Hawks but they remain hopeful he will play in the finals.