GEELONG is set to be without exciting big man Esava Ratugolea for its elimination final against Melbourne at the MCG on Friday night.

On the back of a badly fractured right ankle in May that required surgery, the 20-year-old has returned and lined up in two VFL matches.

In a final on Saturday against the Casey Demons at Casey Fields, Ratugolea struggled in difficult conditions. 

Ratugolea's presence would be help battle brilliant Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn, who took out the AFL Coaches' Association Player of the Year Award.

GET TO THE GAME All your finals ticketing info

While the Cat burst on to the scene and lined up in eight games for the senior side this season, his coach Chris Scott told Channel Nine Ratugolea would probably miss out.

"I think it's unlikely (Ratugolea will play)," Scott said.

"Everyone's timing was out at Casey Fields with the wind yesterday. It was a hard day for big forwards and a tough day for our VFL team overall.

"I think the likelihood of is that 'Sav' would need at least another game in the VFL, which he'll get this week on the back of our team losing."

Meanwhile, Rhys Stanley is dealing with a left calf strain and won't be named unless he is fit.

"We won't roll the dice. If he plays, it'll be because we're really confident that he's healthy and can perform well," Scott said.

"Obviously the risk for us is that we brought him back after missing a week for the Hawthorn game, which was the third-last game for the year, and he didn't get through the first quarter.

"We just can't afford to go in ... Gawn's clearly a great player, so we're going to struggle enough with 22 players on the field, we can't afford to lose one.

"That's probably the thing that's foremost in our thinking."

Stanley, 27, was injured against Brisbane in round 19, missed the loss to Richmond and returned the following week against the Hawks, but has not played since.