Geelong defender Zach Guthrie has lauded brother Cam and Tom Hawkins for their influence behind the scenes after the experienced pair were overlooked for their AFL preliminary final.
Cam Guthrie (achilles) and Hawkins (foot) returned from extended injury lay-offs through the VFL this month but were left out of the team to face the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday.
There was also no room for versatile tall Sam De Koning, with Tom Stewart (hamstring/illness) replacing Zach Tuohy as the only change to the side.
The door has not yet been closed Guthrie and Hawkins - both premiership players - being recalled for the season decider if the Cats qualify.
But it appears a long shot, with retiring club games record holder Hawkins seemingly having made his last appearance in the hoops and Guthrie unlikely to add to his four games this season.
"They've played a major role throughout the season, not only on the field where they've performed really strongly for us over a number of years, but as leaders as well," Zach Guthrie told AAP.
"They bring a different kind of insight in our meetings and help to bring other guys along for the ride.
"They've been massive for us in that space and they're guys who I love learning from.
"For their sake I'm really hopeful it's on the field, but if they don't get the chance to play I feel they can still play major roles for us off the field in the coming weeks."
Cam Guthrie has played 240 games since making his debut in Geelong's 2011 premiership season.
The 32-year-old shared the 2022 flag success with his younger brother but has managed just 10 games since then because of serious foot, quadriceps and achilles injuries.
The latter has kept the midfielder sidelined since round 10 this season.
"He's been going about it really well," Zach Guthrie said.
"I was just really pleased to see him back out there (in the VFL) because it's been a frustrating year for him not being able to get on the park.
"To see him back out there with a smile on his face was great."
Geelong had seven finals debutants feature in the 84-point thrashing of Port Adelaide in the qualifying final and all have retained their spots in the side to face Brisbane.
The Cats' line-up also includes 14 players who featured in the 2022 premiership side.
"We've got a number of guys who have had that finals experience and have played plenty of footy in September," Guthrie said.
"Mitch Duncan has played 27 finals or something like that, which is amazing really.
"Those guys are seasoned campaigners and they can really help guys go about it week to week and come up with individual plans about how they might manage big moments.
"At the same time, there's that naivety of the young guys coming in ... that mix is really important for us going forward."
