Cats still unsure on Stevie J

Geelong coach Chris Scott has ruled ruckman Hamish McIntosh out of Friday night’s AFL semi-final against his former club North Melbourne, but has yet to make a call on Steve Johnson.

The mercurial utility is one of several key Cats still under a cloud, with Allen Christensen an uncertain prospect with his back complaint and Steven Motlop a more likely starter against the Kangaroos.

Johnson returned last weekend against Hawthorn after a three-week layoff with a foot injury, but was far from his best in the qualifying-final loss.

Scott said Johnson was now in better shape than after the game.

“It doesn’t guarantee he’s going to play but it’s certainly a good sign,” he said.

Johnson’s history with injuries means the Cats have trodden this path before.

Scott said he would be leaning on Johnson and his medical team to make a final call.

“If he can’t do the job for the team, he will let me know, I’ve got the utmost confidence in that,” Scott said.

“But he does have a remarkable record of playing very well through pain.”

McIntosh was ruled out by Scott on Tuesday morning with knee soreness.

One man the Cats can count on playing on Friday night is Tom Hawkins.

The key forward was cleared of a potential striking charge for a jumper punch on Hawk Ben Stratton, with Cats captain Joel Selwood saying Hawkins could count his blessings.

“Maybe he is a bit lucky, maybe that’s footy,” Selwood said.

“If he had his time over again he probably wouldn’t even put himself in that (position).”

There’s no talk of taking things for granted at Kardinia Park, even though both qualifying-final losers have bounced back the following week every year since 2007.

“It would be very inconsistent of me to draw on that statistic considering I don’t think things that happened years and years ago have much relevance to what’s happening this week,” said Scott.

“But we’re looking forward to the opportunity to make amends on Friday night.”

The club received a piece of strong news on Tuesday, with state Opposition leader Daniel Andrews pledging a $70 million redevelopment of Simonds Stadium if the ALP win the state election on November.

The Brownlow and Jennings Stands would be replaced under the plan, which would increase capacity to 36,000.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!