Geelong forward Steve Johnson feared his AFL season was over before undergoing surgery late last month to fix his hip injury.

Johnson had another light run at training on Monday and remains confident he will be fit for Saturday night's preliminary final against Collingwood.

The two-time All-Australian had struggled with the hip problem since mid-season and last played in round 20.

"I spoke to the surgeon the day before the op and they weren't completely sure what was wrong with me, the scans didn't really show up anything," said Johnson, who went to Hobart for the operation.

"I had written off the season, pretty much, because I knew how sore I was and I thought there had to be something wrong structurally.

"The surgeon came in the next day after the operation and said (they) were able to fix it up pretty well.

"I didn't have too much damage around my joint, so that was a good sign, he said it basically comes down to healing now - within a day, I was up walking."

A fit Johnson would be a major boost for the Cats, but his selection looms as a major risk.

He is brimming with confidence after pulling up well from a solid hitout last Friday.

"I probably trained for 10-15 minutes (on Monday), but I got through and I'm just building on what I'd done last week," he said.

"I was able to do a fair bit of training last week and a solid session on Friday.

"Today it felt good and I will have another session on Wednesday - hopefully I will feel 100 per cent on game day."

Johnson said he had struggled with the injury, but was feeling much better now there was a strong chance he will take part in the finals.

"I've been so much happier around the club in the last couple of weeks, since about round 12 it was bringing me down," he said.

"I was a different person to what I've been the last couple of weeks, I've been so happy I have the opportunity to play again.

"This is the time you want to come out and have an influence on a few games."

Johnson said he had been pain-free soon after the surgery.

He will train again on Wednesday.

"On Friday, I did a few bursts where I was probably at 100 per cent and I felt pretty good, I pulled up well from that session," he said.

"In the last week, I probably haven't tested it too much because there's been no need to.

"Come Wednesday, I will be at full pelt and be able to show the coaches that I'm a worthy selection.

"As long as nothing else goes wrong, I'm pretty confident I will be right."

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