GEELONG midfielder Cam Guthrie will be battling to return in the finals after suffering a calf strain just after half-time on Friday night against Richmond.

Cats' coach Chris Scott described the 25-year-old's injury as "significant" but was not able to predict how many games Guthrie might miss.

Jake Kolodjashnij also sat out most of the final quarter with a calf injury and had ice applied to the sore spot after the game.

Scott couldn't be definitive about the injuries but indicated both players would have clouds hanging over them this week.

"Guthrie is significant I think at this point," he said. 

"I am more optimistic on Kolodjashnij but not overly optimistic. It might be better than we think and they can play in a week or two."

Their injuries were a blow to the Cats as Guthrie had the key job of stopping Richmond superstar Dustin Martin but he was on the bench with ice on his calf soon after the main break. 

The midfielder cut a dejected figure as he sat in his tracksuit watching Martin take over the game in the second half with 14 touches and five score assists.

Guthrie was playing his eighth final for the Cats and he has been on the winning team just twice.

He left the ground with nine disposals to his name and had restricted Martin to 15 disposals to that point.

Scott indicated that Daniel Menzel was a chance to return against either Sydney or Essendon after being omitted, but Nakia Cockatoo remained unlikely to get up.

The Tigers ran out 51-point winners to leave Geelong facing an early exit if they can't improve for next week's semi-final.