The mercurial forward and big man Rory Lobb have been named in arguably the strongest team the Giants have fielded this year.

Former Fremantle foot soldier Matt de Boer is the unlucky forward to make way for Johnson, despite having done little wrong, while Lobb comes in for youngster Harrison Himmelberg.

There has been much speculation about whether Johnson is still in the Giants' best 22, but his return is a clear indication he remains in Leon Cameron's plans for the finals.

Staying there will not be easy for the veteran, who has conceded he struggles to play back-to-back games. Johnson has played 15 of 21 matches this year, but not managed more than three on the trot since round nine.

Given his fitness issues, there are grave doubts about Johnson's availability for the Giants' entire September campaign if they were to lose a qualifying final and have to play in each week of the finals.

There is plenty of competition for places at the Giants who, after being decimated by injury, are close to full strength with Ryan Griffen and early season knee reconstruction victims Matt Buntine and Adam Kennedy the remaining players in the casualty ward.

It is likely to be the last time Johnson graces the turf at Simonds Stadium, where he has kicked more goals than any other player in the professional era, though there is an outside chance the Giants could return to the venue in a fortnight for a qualifying final.

The Giants believe Johnson's intimate knowledge of the ground will help them break their duck at Geelong, where they have been beaten twice.

"It was a tough selection and Harry Himmelberg and Matt de Boer haven't done much wrong at all," Cameron said.

"We thought we needed Rory Lobb to come back in and contribute in the ruck with Mummy [Shane Mumford] and be a big target up forward for us.

"Steve's coming off his knee injury. He was really good in the Melbourne game and we feel as though he's got something to offer. Obviously he knows the ground down there and has played for a long time for the Cats down there so we look forward to him contributing this weekend."

The Giants could claim the minor premiership or finish as low as fourth, depending on this weekend's results. A win or draw would secure a home qualifying final, but a loss, combined with a Richmond victory over St Kilda, could see them tumble to fourth and head to Adelaide.

The last three games between the Giants and the Cats have produced margins of 13 and 10 points and an after-the-siren draw earlier this season.

"It's quite unique because it can shift the ladder around, especially the top half," Cameron said.

"I think it's going to be a really tight game. They're a really good team and deserve a top-four spot and so do we so who's winning at the end of Saturday night will be intriguing."