Geelong are seeing encouraging signs in youngster Max Holmes' recovery from a hampered hamstring as the Cats await scans results in the days leading up to the AFL Grand Final.
Holmes was subbed out of Friday's 71-point preliminary final win over Brisbane with the ailment, showing signs of distress that his chances of featuring in Saturday's season decider could be over.
Despite the setback, the Cats remain optimistic in Holmes' chances of holding his place in Chris Scott's side to face Sydney, with the Cats giving the former first-round pick every chance to play.
“His clinical signs on assessment are encouraging and we will continue to manage him accordingly,” Cats football boss Simon Lloyd said, via News Corp.
“The medical team will look at him clinically and declare whether he is available later in the week.
“We will give him absolutely every possibility of getting up to play.
“What both Chris and I get from our medical team is that clinical signs are pleasing at present. But we will wait until he is moving a bit more later in the week and at high speeds and assessments will be made accordingly.”
Should Holmes be sidelined for the grand final, Scott won't be short on options to replace his young wingman.
Veteran Sam Menegola will be in the frame as a like-for-like replacement, while gun onballer Brandan Parfitt has been named as an emergency this September.
Irishman Mark O'Connor has Geelong's medical sub for their wins over Collingwood and Brisbane, and could earn a starting spot in Holmes' place.
Geelong are set to provide a more defined medical update on Holmes' playing chances early into grand final week, with their 22-man squad to be named on Thursday night.
