Geelong coach Chris Scott has not confirmed whether key defender Sam De Koning will be recalled to the team for the club's semi-final with Fremantle.
De Koning was a surprise omission from Geelong's side for the elimination final against Carlton last weekend after he played 19 games throughout the home-and-away season.
The Cats are challenged with stopping the Dockers' three-pronged tall forward line of Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss this Friday. Scott said he and his team haven't made a decision yet on whether the 25-year-old will return to the senior side.
"We have always been a horses for course selection panel," Scott said in his press conference.
"But there are multiple ways of thinking about it. The short answer is, he is absolutely in the frame as he was last week. In a way, it was a little strange he wasn't in our team last week; I completely acknowledge that.
"He has been a really important player for us, and I'm confident he will be as soon as this week. But there is a bit to work through before we actually make that decision.
"It's very obvious to us already that he will be on the plane."
De Koning's upcoming selection call will add further intrigue to his future, with St Kilda reported to be eager to sign him. His brother Tom is the Saints ruckman.
Three coaches have been sacked over the course of the season, with the experienced trio of Essendon's Brad Scott, Carlton's Michael Voss and North Melbourne's Alastair Clarkson all losing their senior coach roles.
Geelong's Scott is contracted until the end of 2029. When asked whether he was confident he would see out the next three seasons of his contract, Scott gave a clear answer.
"I expect to see out my contract," he said.
"I love parts of (coaching), and I despise parts of it.
"But that's always the equation, isn't it? I think if you compound bad days, that adds up to a bad life. So that has to be offset somehow.
"I hope this is not turning off young coaches. The price of admission I've referred to is worth it. But you have got to be prepared to pay the price and in the current environment, if you are a type of person that is going to become really upset and insecure when people criticise you and often unfairly, then that's going to be a real challenge for you.
"I've got to a point where I don't like it, but I'm fine with it."
The Geelong coach said it was unlikely injured midfielder James Worpel (hamstring) would play again this year.
Scott said he believes Tanner Bruhn should be right to play in the Semi Final after some injury concerns late against Carlton. He also backed star key forward Jeremy Cameron to return to his best form.
