Injured Geelong defender Harry Taylor admits the Cats are sorer at this stage of the AFL campaign than they were last year.

Taylor is in doubt to play the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night because of a shoulder sprain he suffered when crunched by teammate Corey Enright in a marking contest during last Saturday night's loss to Collingwood at the MCG.

Taylor played out the game with a painkiller, but admitted he was unsure how long he would be sidelined for.

"They do respond quite well, which is one positive, with rest and some good physio treatment," Taylor said of his injury.

"Hopefully it's only one week, but it may be longer, it may be shorter, it's just up to the physios to see how it responds."

Although Geelong fielded a strong side against the Magpies, the reigning premiers have had their share of injuries in 2010, as Matthew Scarlett, Joel Corey, Brad Ottens, Steve Johnson, Tom Hawkins and James Podsiadly have all missed chunks of the season.

Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel also suffered an elbow injury in round 13, but has played on.

Scarlett will also be monitored this week as he copped a kick to the shin late against the Magpies.

"There's a few boys who are pretty sorer at this stage of the year compared to last," Taylor told Network Ten on Monday night.

"I think that's just virtue of the fact that we've had such a big load over the last three years.

"A lot of guys have played 22 to 25 games all the way through including finals.

"It does take a toll.

"But we've just got to keep fighting through it and doing our rehab and getting everything right moving into the finals.

"If we can freshen up through the week and make sure we go into games strong and fit, we can hopefully push right through to September's end."

The defeat to Collingwood left Geelong in second spot, and they could drop another rung if they lose to the Bulldogs (fourth).

Taylor said the Cats were determined to avenge being thrashed in earning contested disposals against the Magpies.

"We were absolutely smashed and deplorable, to be honest, in those areas, which is something that hasn't happened very often in the last three years," he said.

"We owed our fans and our teammates a lot more than what we delivered."

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