DANIEL Menzel will return to the Cats' line-up for Friday night's semi-final against Sydney.

The goalkicker was left out of the qualifying final against Richmond despite having kicked 38 goals in 18 games this season.

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The Cats kicked just five goals and were unable to put any scoreboard pressure on Richmond, with the Tigers kicking away in the last quarter.

On Wednesday coach Chris Scott confirmed the sharpshooter would replace injured midfielder Cam Guthrie for the cut-throat game at the MCG.

"He's really excited to be feeling good going into this game and play a final," Scott said.

Scott admitted the decision not to select Menzel was probably one of about a dozen calls before loss to the Tigers that didn't have the outcome the Cats hoped.

Exciting forward Nakia Cockatoo is not available but might come under consideration if the Cats win their way through to the preliminary final, while Wylie Buzza and Rhys Stanley are a chance to play on Friday.

Defender Jake Kolodjashnij is also in the mix after recovering from a calf strain.

Scott said Joel Selwood had also pulled up well after his return from ankle surgery.

The Cats skipper was below his best against Richmond, but Scott said he was not alone, with the coaches unable to find a Geelong player among the best 10 players on the ground.

However Scott said Selwood had told him he would be better for the run and he expected the captain to hit the contest hard.

"If we get a few more of our good players having better nights the whole way the game is played can turn on its head," Scott said.

Scott said the Cats had shown an ability to bounce back from poor performances this season and he was confident that would happen again on Friday night.

"We have shown great capacity to make adjustments and perform better in a short space of time, so that is what we are optimistic about this week," Scott said.