Geelong are confident captain Joel Selwood will feature in their final pre-season hitout against Essendon next month.
The Cats didn't risk Selwood for Saturday's match against Gold Coast, with the Suns claiming a dominant 17.20 (122) to 7.12 (54) win at Metricon Stadium.
Selwood is still recovering after undergoing off-season surgery on his hamstring but with the clash with the Bombers in Colac not until March 9, the 31-year-old is expected to be back in the Cats' squad.
"Obviously with the two weeks now he can really benefit and get a hard two-week training block," assistant coach Corey Enright said.
"We think he will play some minutes in that game along with potentially a few other guys who are well into their preparation and would like to see again before round one."
In Selwood's absence the Cats used the Suns game as a chance for others to stake their claims in midfield.
Key onballer Patrick Dangerfield spent large portions of the game in the forward line, with Enright admitting those given the chance hadn't exactly seized the opportunity.
"It was a good opportunity for us to play Pat forward but also give those guys an opportunity to step up," he said.
"Patty's a pretty influential figure inside the centre bounces and around the stoppages, without him we obviously look a different team.
"It was great to see some of those guys get in there and there was some really good things as well but there's a lot to work on."
Australian Associated Press
