First-year Geelong defender Tom Stewart is a step closer to playing in next Friday night’s preliminary final after being cleared of serious injury.
Stewart was forced out of their semi-final win over Sydney in the third quarter because of hamstring tightness.
The Cats will test him later this week ahead of their Adelaide Oval clash with the Crows.
“Scans have cleared Stewart of any serious damage to his hamstring,” the Cats said in a statement.
After struggling in the qualifying final loss to Richmond, Stewart impressed in Friday night’s upset win.
He had the highlight of the match – first intercepting a Sydney attack and then chasing the ball down the outer MCG wing, before crash-tackling Luke Parker.
Fellow defender Tom Lonergan was a stunning late withdrawal from Friday night’s team because of food poisoning.
He is expected to return against the Crows.