Frustrated Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield is hopeful of returning from a hamstring injury next week, ruling himself out of Saturday's AFL clash with GWS.
Dangerfield has been sidelined since round eight, the club taking a conservative approach with the 33-year-old superstar.
"Certainly the plan is to be right and ready to play next week," Dangerfield told SEN on Thursday.
"I'm around the mark but it's just getting days in the legs and high-speed metres in.
"It's a more conservative route which kind of makes sense with hamstrings I suppose."
Heading into the round 11 clash at GMHBA Stadium, the defending premiers have lost their last two matches to sit seventh on the ladder.
The losses to Richmond and Fremantle followed a five-game winning streak after a poor start to the season with Chris Scott's side battling a large injury toll.
Dangerfield said victories over the Giants and then Western Bulldogs were critical to bank before Geelong's mid-season bye.
The Giants are coming off a tight 12-point loss to St Kilda and are 14th on the ladder with just three wins.
"We feel like if we can get the next couple of weeks right it gives us a good springboard for the second half of the season," the Brownlow Medallist said.
But he felt confident the Cats could buck the odds and defend their flag from outside the top four if required.
"Obviously top four, that's a big part around giving yourself the best chance but with the side that we've got, I just feel like we just need to get our timing right and we will be OK," he said.
"Our best footy is good enough and playing at the right time of the year is the most important thing.
"There is plenty of cause for optimism, I believe."
