Good News: Cats to pull Hawkins finals selection shock…

Cats teammate Mark Blicavs expects De Koning to be given the green light to face the Power at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

“I thought he was great and he got through,” Blicavs said on Sunday.

“We’ll wait and see in terms of the selection, but he jumped well as a ruckman and looked really good.

“We’ll have a couple more training sessions for the coaches to tick that off, but we’ve got a really healthy list.”

De Koning made his name in defence – where he featured in Geelong’s 2022 premiership side – but has also shone in the ruck this season.

Blicavs suggested the emerging star’s role against Port Adelaide could be determined by how well he recovers from his VFL hit-out.

“It’s one tactically for the coaches and they’re probably still working that out and seeing how he pulled up from the game as well, post-surgery,” Blicavs said.

“He’s a great defender and we can obviously put him in the ruck as well, so that’s definitely up for discussion.”

Geelong’s star utility Tom Stewart (hamstring) and emerging half-back Lawson Humphries (calf) are both available to play against Port Adelaide, despite failing to finish the round-24 win over West Coast.

The Cats said the pair had been managed that day with minor concerns and have both since been given the green light for September.