Geelong captain Joel Selwood is optimistic he will play in next weekend's big AFL match against Richmond, despite an ankle injury.
The disappointing loss to Sydney on Friday night has a silver lining, with Selwood's ankle injury not as bad as first feared.
The Cats' inspirational skipper was helped from Simonds Stadium in obvious pain in the second quarter of the 16.11 (107) to 8.13 (61) loss.
He was able to return in the second half but hurt the same ankle in a Lance Franklin tackle and was ruled out of the game early in the final term.
With star teammate Patrick Dangerfield suspended for the match, the sight of Selwood limping off was a nightmare scenario for Cats' fans.
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Selwood was on crutches on Saturday morning.
"(I'm) definitely hopeful, obviously non-weight bearing for the weekend and it's amazing how they can come up," Selwood said.
Coach Chris Scott was optimistic immediately after the match.
"I'm actually confident enough to say now that he'll be fine," Scott told reporters.
The Cats will look to get their push for a top-two finish back on track next Saturday when they host the Tigers.
Geelong trailed by 25 points at three-quarter time but shot themselves in the foot with some undisciplined acts.
Dan Hannebery booted the opening major of the last quarter, but Tom Papley was gifted another shot at goal soon after when Mitch Duncan infringed.
To rub salt into the wounds, Papley missed his first shot but was placed on the goalline after a 50m penalty was awarded, his goal giving his side a 37-point lead.
A week after Hawthorn's Luke Hodge was suspended for one match for striking Papley, in what appeared a borderline decision, Scott wasn't thrilled with the umpire's call.
"I've looked at it, and you're allowed to have an opinion on these things, I think if the umpire who paid it has a look at the vision that I looked at I think he'll be disappointed that he paid it," the coach said.
"But that's OK, mistakes happen.
"The more accurate question that we're focused on is why did Mitch do it in the first place?
"It gave them reason to pay a free kick."
