Geelong coach Chris Scott has backed captain Patrick Dangerfield to play on a rare five-day break for the Cats' grand final rematch against Brisbane.
The 36-year-old has had to carefully manage his body in recent years, missing three matches earlier in the season due to a calf injury.
Dangerfield booted two goals in the Cats' 18.14 (122) to 9.14 (68) demolition of Collingwood on Saturday night.
The 2016 Brownlow medallist wants to make an exception and play against the Lions on Thursday night, Geelong's first outing against Brisbane since being blown away in last year's grand final.
"I'm emphatic, because I spoke to him late in the game," Scott said when asked whether Dangerfield would play at the Gabba.
"It's an indication of how little control I have over these things.
"He said he's playing, so he's playing."
Geelong could also regain dynamic premiership player Gryan Miers, who incredibly made a successful return to the VFL on Saturday despite having damage to his ACL.
"I'd have to spend a little more time with our medical staff and high-performance staff to give you an accurate answer, but the feedback I've got so far is that the signs are good," Scott said.
Geelong (6-3) jumped to fifth by taking down the Magpies, recovering well to win their last two matches following a shock loss to Port Adelaide.
The performance was significant as it came in five-time All-Australian defender Tom Stewart's 200th game.
Stewart didn't debut until he was 24, but has gone on to become of their defenders of his generation.
"He was a talented 18, 19 year-old that didn't love the game that much and, for some reason, he managed to love it again and is treating every moment like it is his last," Scott said of Stewart.
"It's just another reminder of how lucky we are to cross paths with players like that."
