Geelong will continue its no-risk policy with injured players throughout the finals with coach Mark Thompson insisting on Tuesday his team would not rush back star forwards Paul Chapman and Steve Johnson before they are ready despite the increased stakes.

Thompson has ruled 2007 Norm Smith Medalist Johnson out of Saturday's qualifying final against the Western Bulldogs due to his ongoing hip problem that has seen him play just three of the past nine games while Chapman remains in doubt having played just one of the past four games due to hamstring problems.

The Cats have battled injuries to key players throughout the second half of the season - after winning their first 13 games - and have yet to field their full-strength side during a period in which they have limped into the finals with just five wins from the past nine games.

The fitness of Chapman and Johnson is not the Cats' only concern ahead of the clash against the Dogs with Max Rooke (corked thigh), David Wojcinski (ankle) and Travis Varcoe (shoulder) all needing to pass fitness tests.

But despite the lure of a much-needed week off by beating the Bulldogs - with the alternative being having to back up four weeks in a row to win their second flag in three years - Thompson said the Cats would take no risks with injured players this week.

"We have been conservative all year," Thompson said.

"Paul Chapman is obviously a very important player and it will be great to have him playing but when we make that decision we will make it based on us believing that he can get through the game and that is all that comes into it."

"He is coming along okay and he is a chance to play but we are not saying he is going to play or not going to play at this stage."

"We will see how he pulls up from training tomorrow and that is all we can say at this stage."

The only definite out for the Cats this week is Johnson but despite the champion forward only undergoing hip surgery last Friday - Thompson insists he will be right to play in the second week of the finals should the Cats lose to the Dogs and not get the week off.

"He has already knocked on my door asking to play but he probably won't play this week," Thompson said.

"But in all seriousness he is very much a good chance to play next week, which is remarkable I know and you probably won't believe me but that is the truth."

While the Cats still have their injury worries, the club goes into Saturday's clash against a Dogs side that beat it just a fortnight ago with its confidence renewed following its impressive Round 22 win over Fremantle and the successful returns of long-term injured pair Brad Ottens and James Kelly.

"We were very happy and we had been looking forward to that form for a while," Thompson said.

"Even during the game we were very excited in the coaches' box and it was just entertaining to watch and that is when we play our best footy."

"We hit the ball hard, we won a lot of the ball and we looked like we were back in form."

But Thompson knows it's an even money bet this week against the Dogs with both clubs having won one match apiece this year in two games that went right down to the wire while there was little between the teams in last year's preliminary final when the Cats won by 29 points.

"We always match up well against them and we've had two close games this year so it sets it up for a fantastic match," Thompson said of the Dogs.

"Neither team has a right to win and no-one can take anything for granted and that is our attitude and we will just throw everything at this match and try to win it."