Back home after dashing to the United States to cheer on San Antonio in the NBA finals, Geelong star Jimmy Bartel is a 50-50 shot to take his turn at being rested for Sunday’s AFL clash with Brisbane.

After winning 10 of their first 11 matches, Cats coach Chris Scott gave his players permission to take an extended break from the club during their bye week in round 12.

For some, that meant heading home to catch up with friends and family.

Others went further afield, with Bartel fulfilling a long-held wish to catch a couple of games of the NBA finals series.

“His program over the break was well planned, we spent quite a bit of time on it and we’re really comfortable with the outcome,” Scott said on Wednesday.

“The proof will be in the pudding but I’ll be very surprised if Jimmy Bartel doesn’t play great footy in the last half of the season.

“We understand that people out there in the football world will have differing views and to be honest, there are differing views within our football club as well.

“But it was a well-considered decision.”

Scott has made a habit of successfully resting players during his time at Geelong.

None of the Cats played all 25 matches in the successful 2011 premiership campaign, while defender Andrew Mackie was the only one to front up for all 23 games last year.

Key defender Harry Taylor and young ruckman Mark Blicavs will return to the senior line-up against the Lions after sitting out the round 11 win over Greater Western Sydney.

Scott also said midfielder Steven Motlop would go straight back into the senior line-up, while Taylor Hunt was a good chance to return after recovering from a broken collarbone.

And even though Bartel is a walk-up start in Geelong’s best team, the Brownlow medallist could well be one of those to make way – if only for one match.

“Jimmy has come back in pretty good shape and he’s feeling pretty good,” said Scott.

“He certainly would be available to play if we absolutely needed him to for this week.

“But we consider more than this week when we manage our players.”

Scott rated Bartel’s chances of playing against Brisbane as 50-50 with a final decision to be taken on Thursday.