Geelong make early selection call on Tom Hawkins, Cam Guthrie ahead of AFL preliminary final

Geelong has made an early selection call on Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie ahead of Saturday’s preliminary final clash with Brisbane, but one more big decision remains up in the air.

Geelong has made an early selection call, confirming Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie will miss Saturday night’s preliminary final.

The Cats will welcome back Tom Stewart from hamstring and illness issues that forced him out of their qualifying final win over Port Adelaide.

While the Cats will be without Hawkins and Guthrie, they are yet to reveal their hand on Sam De Koning, who has not played at AFL level since round 21.

Tom Hawkins will miss Geelong’s preliminary final clash with Brisbane. Picture: Michael Klein

De Koning played two VFL games in his comeback from knee surgery before the Cats’ reserves season was over in a semi-final.

Geelong is weighing up the balance of its side and whether it needs De Koning as a defensive and ruck back-up.

It is unclear who will make way for Stewart, while a returning De Koning would require a further unlucky player to drop out.

Sam De Koning could return for the Cats. Picture: Getty Images

Zach Tuohy and Oisin Mullin would appear most vulnerable, while the Lions’ dangerous small forward line should help keep Jed Bews in the side.

Tuohy was the sub against Port Adelaide, while Mullin — who can play defensive roles — came in for Stewart.

Cats coach Chris Scott told Channel 7 that Hawkins and Guthrie were not physically ready to return this week.

But he left the door open for the pair it the Cats made the grand final.

He said the call on De Koning was up in the air. The defender is fit and available, Scott said.