GEELONG midfielder Cam Guthrie is confident "tough dude" Patrick Dangerfield will be able to overcome injury and any niggling taggers to play a key role in the Cats' flag push.
Dangerfield has been nursing a fractured finger during the finals series but he is determined to play on through the pain.
He was also forced to deal with a rough and niggly tagger during Friday night's 35-point semi-final win over GWS.
Dangerfield copped plenty of physical heat from Giants veteran Matt de Boer during the game, but fought on to finish with 21 disposals and eight clearances.
"We're conscious of it," Guthrie said of the rough treatment Dangerfield was receiving.
"Pat's a really professional player and he's seen all that before.
"We'll give him a few blocks here or there. But in the end, we kind of expect him to work his opponent over and beat him in the contest.
"He had a few really good moments and we're looking forward to seeing what he delivers against Melbourne."
Guthrie is confident Dangerfield's finger injury won't be too much of a hindrance.
"He's a tough dude, so I think he's alright with it and he'll soldier on. He'll be OK," Guthrie said.
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00:57HighlightsHighlights
Keighton Matofai-Forbes
With the Club's final selection, Geelong drafted Keighton Matofai-Forbes with pick 69. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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00:38HighlightsHighlights
Lennox Hofmann Draft Highlights
With Geelong’s third selection, the Cats selected Lennox Hofmann with pick 66. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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00:50HighlightsHighlights
Jacob Molier Draft Highlights
With its second selection of the Telstra AFL Draft, the Cats drafted South Australian forward/ruck Jacob Molier with pick 52.
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00:50HighlightsHighlights
Jay Polkinghorne Draft Highlights
With its first selection the Cats selected South Australian forward Jay Polkinghorne with pick 44. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone.
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03:00
Draft Memories | Tom Stewart
Tom Stewart relives his draft memories after he was drafted by Geelong at number 40 in 2006. Proudly Presented by Pepperstone
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04:45
Draft Memories | Mitch Duncan
Mitch Duncan takes us back to his draft memories, after being drafted by Geelong at number 28 in the 2009 National Draft. Presented by Pepperstone
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01:06
All Geelong Adventures | 2025 AFL Fixture Release
Watch on as we touch on our 2025 AFL Fixture, and our 10 GMHBA Home Games!
AFL
Fixture
The Cats weren't at their clinical best against GWS, and they'll need to take it up a notch when they face Melbourne in Friday night's preliminary final in Perth.
The teams faced off just three weeks ago with the Demons coming from 44 points down to secure a four-point triumph courtesy of Max Gawn's after-the-siren winner.
Geelong will be aiming to turn the tables in the re-match, and they have a major weapon in the form of Tom Hawkins.
The 'Tomahawk' was best afield against the Giants, booting five goals to go with his four contested marks.
"I'm getting used to it, it's unbelievable," Guthrie said of the 301-game veteran's star display.
"He's such a good option for us going forward. So reliable.
"To have Jeremy Cameron and Gary Rohan up there with him, and Brad Close lying around, I think we're a really dangerous forward line.
"It's up to us to give them a lot of good looks.
"What makes them so great is they can take some half chances too, and put some scoreboard pressure on."
Geelong will enter the preliminary final without midfielder Brandan Parfitt, who injured his hamstring against the Giants.
