Geelong star Gary Ablett will on Friday get a fresh chance to build on his Brownlow Medal favouritism, but dual medallist Adam Goodes remains in doubt for Sydney's crunch AFL game against Fremantle.
The Cats named Ablett to play bottom side Melbourne at the MCG after missing three games with an ankle injury, which should provide the midfielder a good start in his build-up to the finals.
Ablett got through training without mishap, and Cats football manager Neil Balme was confident the star would play, after being given one extra week off as a precaution.
"We said yesterday he would play if he pulled up well, so he'll play unless something extraordinary happens," Balme said.
But the prospect of Goodes returning to the SCG on Saturday night is not as certain, as he remains in some doubt because of the groin soreness which kept him out of last Sunday's defeat to the Western Bulldogs.
Swans coach Paul Roos, whose side's hold on fourth spot appears shakier by the week, admitted Goodes and fellow inclusion Leo Barry (hamstring) were yet to prove their fitness given his preference to take on the Dockers with a fully-fit team.
"Tonight we (had) to put our team in before training so we probably can't guarantee it will be as named because we need to look at Leo and Goodesy and (emergency Nick) Malceski and a few others, and hope that they all get through training, but it may change," Roos said.
"Goodesy we're expecting to play at this stage.
"But I think on the weekend what we learnt is having a fitter team gives you a better chance to win ... it's pretty important we don't fall in the trap of picking of unhealthy team. So if they get picked they'll be obviously pretty healthy to play."
