The Geelong Cats are set to be closer to full strength this week as they welcome back Jeremy Cameron, and don't lose Patrick Dangerfield.
The stars will both line up for Geelong in their clash with the St Kilda Saints this weekend, which will serve as a dress rehearsal for next week's final-round, top of the table showdown with current competition leaders the Melbourne Demons.
As it stands right now, the Cats sit two points behind the first-placed Demons, who also have what looks to be a straightforward game this weekend against the lowly Adelaide Crows.
The Western Bulldogs are also ahead of the Cats, but only by percentage. They take on Hawthorn this weekend, before clashing with Port Adelaide, who are only behind Geelong on percentage, next weekend. Port Adelaide play Carlton this weekend and would also expect to win.
The entire top-four playing each other in the final round means the minor premiership is still well and truly alive, and Geelong will be glad to have key forward Cameron back.
Cameron has been out for six weeks with a hamstring injury. It's understood he could have already returned, but the club were keen to take a no-risk approach.
Coach Chris Scott said he had a plan for Cameron.
"We'll put him out there with the expectation that he's ready for the rigours of a full AFL game," Scott said.
"That doesn't mean that we won't be agile with our decision-making in the moment within the game, and most players these days, even key forwards, get a spell at some stage.
"We've got a plan there for him, but it's not one that's so conservative that we would put him in doubt if we left him out there a little bit longer."
Dangerfield, on the other hand, was in doubt after being taken to hospital following last week's loss to the Greater Western Sydney Giants after an elbow to the throat from Toby Greene.
While Greene is fighting for his innocence and the right to play today at the judiciary, Dangerfield was relieved to have no fracture to the are, despite some bruising of the larynx.
"We were really concerned with it at the time and whenever someone spends a night in hospital there's reason for concern, but he's recovered really well," Scott said.
"After extensive assessments and tests, he's been cleared to play and was cleared early in the week, so that's good news."
