Scott Selwood expected to play in qualifying final against Hawthorn but doubt on Lachie Henderson

GEELONG’S Scott Selwood is making a strong bid to resume in Friday night’s qualifying final against Hawthorn but important defender Lachie Henderson is doubtful.

GEELONG’S Scott Selwood is making a strong bid to resume in Friday night’s qualifying final against Hawthorn at the MCG, but important defender Lachie Henderson seems doubtful to play.

Selwood yesterday trained beside the main group in the Cats’ open training session at Deakin University, in Waurn Ponds, but he moved without discomfort in a solid running session.

The former Eagle, who was a late withdrawal with hamstring tightness from last week’s final round game against Melbourne, seems likely to return against the Hawks, and could be a run-with contender for the dangerous Sam Mitchell.

Tom Hawkins said Selwood would be an asset for the Cats, and could play a serious role over the next month after showing good signs with three late-season AFL games after an injury-interrupted season.

“It is encouraging to see so many players available for selection each week,” Hawkins said.

“Scott has finals experience at West Coast, he is going to be an important part of what we want to do moving forward over the next month.”

Scott Selwood trains with his teammates ahead of Friday night’s qualifying final. Picture: Alison Wynd

Selwood was not selected in the Cats’ VFL side on Saturday, with coach Chris Scott preferring to keep him fresh to give him the best opportunity to be ready to take on the Hawks.

The news does not look as encouraging for Henderson, who underwent minor surgery on his right knee late last month.

The 26-year-old, who has been so important to the Cats’ season, was spotted briefly at the training session but only an observer, before making an early exit.

Hawkins admitted he was unsure where Henderson was at in terms of his availability.

“I am not 100 per cent sure,” he said. “He (Henderson) has got a few things to do to be passed fit.”

Jake Kolodjashnij suffered a knock to his calf in last week’s win over Melbourne. He trained for a period on Saturday before appearing to pull up a little sore.

He consulted the physios and left the ground soon after.

Hawkins maintains Hawthorn is still the team to beat in the race for this year’s premiership, explaining any team chasing a fourth successive flag can never be taken lightly.

Asked if he felt the Hawks were still “the hunted”, despite the fact they only secured a top fourth berth with a last-minute win over Collingwood in the final round, Hawkins said: “Yep ... three (flags) in a row sort of speaks pretty loudly. Everyone wants to knock then off, so I can’t see them as anything but the hunted.

Cats coach Chris Scott talks to Mark Blicavs and Andrew Mackie during the session. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We all know how good Hawthorn is. They have been the benchmark for the last three years, so experience in finals is important, and they hold a lot of that.

“It is going to be a great game, and one we are looking forward to. We embrace what we have in front of us. We know our best is good enough.”

Hawkins said initially he thought the week off before the finals was “not ideal”, but was pleased the Cats were at least heading into September off the back of a powerful win over the Demons in the last round.

“I have always believed that momentum and good form heading into the finals is a key,” he said. “We have got what we wanted out of the (bye) week. It gives a good opportunity for a couple of players who have been a bit niggling to train through the week. I suppose the proof is going to be in the pudding next Friday night.”

Hawkins said he was pleased teammate Daniel Menzel is about to play his first final since the 2011 qualifying final against Hawthorn, when he suffered the first of his serious knee injuries.

“We all know where he has been and what he has had to endure,” Hawkins said. “He has had a really consistent year, Menz. His body has held up which is the most positive thing.

“It is fantastic to see someone who has been cut down by injuries ... playing finals footy again.

“He is a bit of a hard match up. He is good in the air, he is good on the ground. His defensive work is elite. We saw that in 2011 when he had some big games towards the end of the year when he hurt his knee for the first time.”

“It is a different Dan Menzel (in 2016), but it is certainly the same confident bloke out on the field.”

Originally published as Scott Selwood expected to play in qualifying final against Hawthorn but doubt on Lachie Henderson