ANDREW Mackie says Paul Chapman's suspension from the preliminary final team is "hard to take" for the Cats' players.

But, the new All Australian defender believes the 31-year-old showed last week against Port Adelaide he had the form to push into a 15th season.

Geelong confirmed on Tuesday morning that Chapman would enter an early guilty plea to his charge of rough conduct against the Power's Robbie Gray, costing him a one-week ban.

"Whatever he decides to do [next year], there's no doubt he showed on the weekend he can still play footy," Mackie said at Monday night's All Australian presentation.

"Every player wants to play this time of year and it's such a big game against the Hawks - and not only that, it's on our way to what we want to achieve for the year."

Chapman risked a two-week suspension if he took the case to the AFL Tribunal and lost, which would have ruled him out of Grand Final contention should the Cats beat Hawthorn this Friday night.

Mackie said he believed the Cats had the depth to cover Chapman's absence despite the importance of his four goals last week against the Power.

"He was great for us on the weekend and a player like Chappy is hard to replace," he said.

"But you look at the results of our VFL side and they're super strong and probably got about 10 blokes who could come in pretty easily."

The Hawks will enter the game after a week off while the Cats have come into the preliminary final the hard way, having had to play Fremantle – which left many players sore – and then the Power.

Jared Rivers (ankle) remains a concern after being subbed out of Friday night's game, while Tom Hawkins continues to struggle with his back issue.

But Mackie said the Cats might emerge better placed for having played an extra game.

"To be honest, we felt like we needed the run around. We hadn't played that great against Brisbane [in round 23] and Fremantle and we only got our game started in the second half against Port Adelaide," he said.

"For us, it was good to get out there and find that form again and hopefully that can kick start into Friday night."

Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan