Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart and Lawson Humphries available for qualifying final as ageing stars racing the clock

Two key players are ready to go, but a couple of premiership Cats are racing the clock. Plus, some senior players have been picked to play in the VFL.

Geelong has received a boost ahead of its clash with Port Adelaide next week, with vice-captain Tom Stewart and emerging defender Lawson Humphries cleared fit to play.

However, the Cats didn’t reveal a timeline for retiring champion Tom Hawkins (foot) and Cam Guthrie (achilles) but are hopeful both can return at some stage during the finals series.

Stewart was subbed out of Geelong’s final home-and-away game against West Coast with hamstring tightness, while Humphries (calf) was also cautiously managed in the second half with the Cats holding a huge lead.

The Cats confirmed on Friday that both will take on the Power at Adelaide Oval next Thursday.

Stewart was shut down by Power small forward Jed McEntee in their last meeting but his midfield move has allowed him to shake the tag since then, while Humphries has been a revelation across halfback since debuting in round 16.

Tom Stewart was subbed out against West Coast. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

In further good news for Geelong’s defence, tall Sam De Koning has been picked to play in Geelong’s VFL final against Werribee on Saturday — just five days before the Cats’ qualifying final.

De Koning missed the last three games of the season with a knee injury which required minor surgery.

Forward Gary Rohan, who was managed for their final round clash, has also been named along with fringe players Mitch Knevitt, Oisin Mullin, Ted Clohesy and Mark O’Connor, the latter making his return from a knee injury.

Hawkins, 36, is racing clock to return against the Power after being sidelined since round 15, with him and Guthrie both in training.

Unsighted since round 10, Guthrie has played just four senior games since round six last season and his troublesome achilles blow has seen him sidelined for much longer than first expected.

Originally published as Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart and Lawson Humphries available for qualifying final as ageing stars racing the clock