Geelong's hopeful of a Paul Chapman return sooner rather than later according to VFL coach Matthew Knights.

Speaking to Fairfax following the VFL side's win over Collingwood on Friday night, Knights said the injury to Chapman was minor.

"From my knowledge, it's just his own body generally, he just felt a bit tight," Knights said.

"It's certainly nothing significant. He's been so patient and done so much rehab that if he wasn't 100 percent, we're just never going to take the risk.

"I saw him today (Friday) and he was pretty positive, so that suggests hopefully it's sooner rather than later that he plays."

Another good sign for the Cats was the form of defender Jared Rivers who Knights said will be treated similarly to Josh Hunt who the Cats conservatively treated throughout the early part of the year.

"I felt his decision making in the second half was excellent. I think Rivers (took) another step forward but it's important, like Josh Hunt earlier in the year, when Jared comes in, he's really, really ready to go to play good AFL footy." Knights said.

The Cats VFL side takes on Sandringham next Sunday.