Richmond's unique forward set-up that channels their forward thrusts through Jack Riewoldt and a host of fleet-footed options at ground level, coupled with Melbourne's winter-that-won't-go-away conditions, point towards the likely omission of one unlucky key-position Cat.

There's speculation Geelong will leave out a player such as youngster Wylie Buzza. That would allow the versatile Harry Taylor to resume his successful defensive forward role against All-Australian captain Alex Rance, a match-up he exploited with aplomb in the most recent meeting between the sides four weeks ago.

Geelong coach Chris Scott wasn't prepared to confirm the club's likely selection and match-up preferences just yet, especially around the question of an onballer replacing a tall.

"It's a consideration for us, yeah, not a decision that we're not necessarily going to talk about between now and game time. I'm happy to elaborate a little more post-game," he told reporters.

"We are going to take into consideration the make-up of the opposition when we pick our team."

The 2011 premiership coach freely admitted the likely cold and wet conditions, combined with Richmond's preference for a one-out forward focal point, would impact selection.

"We're not a team that says that irrespective of the opposition and irrespective of the weather we just roll out the same 22 in the same spots - we put some work into that," Scott said.

"(Richmond) do set up differently to most teams in that they have been playing only one ruckman and their back up (Shaun Grigg) is only 190 centimetres.

"They generally only play one tall forward and they're pretty quick in their front half. You need to take those things into consideration.

"No team - I think these days - is good enough to say 'it doesn't matter what they do, we'll just do what we do'.

"So without stepping you through exactly what might be different if it's a bit slippery, yeah we've put some work into it."

Putting time into opposition analysis goes into overdrive come September, and Scott agreed Richmond's attacking structure had been used to great effect.

"The more complicated question is 'have they done it deliberately? For example, if they had (Eagle) Josh Kennedy in their team I don't think they'd go with the same set-up.

"I think they've worked in a really clever way with the personnel they've got and it's worked for them and it's worked for them through the bulk of the season.

"I can't think of another example of a team that plays with just the one key forward."

Of course all of Geelong's planning could be put to one side if the Tigers spring a mega-surprise by bringing in Shaun Hampson for his first game of 2017. The back-up ruckman was reinstated to Richmond's senior list from the long-term injury-list last month. Hampson has played a couple of games in the VFL and had 36 hit-outs playing for Richmond's VFL elimination final win over Collingwood last Saturday.

Richmond football manager Neil Balme said the veteran big man would come under "serious consideration" for a recall during the finals, even though the Tigers could also bring in Ivan Soldo or Ivan Maric to support Toby Nankervis.

"He (Hampson) is getting better every week," Balme said. "(It's a scenario) that's good for him, good for us."

Selection conundrums aside, the Cats are comfortable bringing back Selwood for the heat of finals action five weeks after having ankle surgery.

"It's an injury that our medical staff, for a start, are very comfortable is going to allow him to play," Scott said.

"Even more importantly, it's an injury that even if he does pull up a little bit sore, which is likely, there's very low risk that it's going to compromise him for future weeks.

"(It's a) completely different consideration to a player coming back with a soft-tissue injury.

"He might be a bit sore, but he's not going to be so sore that it sets him back a couple of weeks."

Scott confirmed that utility James Parsons would play after fully recovering from the foot injury he received in the round 23 win over GWS.

But exciting forward Nakia Cockatoo is at least another week away, with the club taking a conservative approach to his hamstring issues.

With AAP