Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij has avoided a season-ending knee injury but faces a race against time to prove his fitness for next week's preliminary final.
Kolodjashnij injured his right knee during the second quarter of Saturday's qualifying final win over Collingwood and tried to play on, returning to the field after having the joint strapped.
But the 27-year-old was substituted out of the match before halftime.
Scans have since confirmed a tibiofibular joint injury that Geelong medical boss Harry Taylor said won't rule Kolodjashnij out of the preliminary final just yet.
"We have had positive news, with subsequent scans showing a tibiofibular joint injury that the medical and conditioning team will treat and manage accordingly," Taylor said.
"Jake's availability for the preliminary final will be determined closer to the game."
Geelong will take on the winner of Friday's Melbourne-Brisbane clash in a preliminary final next week.
The break this weekend will give Kolodjashnij extra time to recover.
The 153-game defender has missed just two games this season, through concussion and virus protocols.
Kolodjashnij suffered another concussion in round 23 but benefited from the pre-finals bye to recover in time to play in the qualifying final.
