Geelong's victory over Hawthorn has set the Cats up for an AFL preliminary final and provided Chris Scott with his most important win to date as a coach.

But before the opening bounce of Friday night's qualifying final at the MCG, the first-year mentor faced his toughest test.

Scott, who felt the pain in 2003 of being ruled out at the last moment for the Brisbane side which went on to win a third consecutive premiership, didn't enjoy telling Geelong defender Darren Milburn he was not playing.

"It's the hardest thing I've had to do so far," said Scott, who at 35 is only one year older than Milburn.

Scott says former All-Australian Milburn, who like his coach is a dual premiership player, always put the team first.

However as a hard-nosed competitor similar to Scott, Milburn found himself telling his coach in no uncertain terms that he should be in the side.

"We think he's going to play a role this year, still," Scott told FoxSports' On The Couch program.

"He has been an absolute great of the club, so it's extremely difficult (to leave him out).

"It's incredibly hard. I try to be as honest as I possibly can and give him all the information.

"But the reality is really competitive great players don't agree with you when you say they are not in your best 22 ... not this week in our view.

"He probably thinks he is. I know he thinks he is."

While Collingwood remain premiership favourites with bookmakers, Scott's Cats have posted a 19-3 record in the home-and-away season and followed a 96-point thumping over the Magpies in round 24 with a 31-point win over the Hawks in the qualifying final.

But Scott refused to take an opportunity to have a swipe at his team's critics.

"Most of the questions that have been raised about us this year have been really valid," Scott said.

"Those questions were relevant. They're still relevant at the moment.

"It will be a big ask to win a premiership with the age profile of our list. But it really does speak volumes for the character of the players down at Geelong."

The Cats have 11 players aged 29 or over.

However the ageing legs of ruckman Brad Ottens, who at 31 was best-afield against the Hawks, and skipper Cameron Ling, the 30-year-old who tagged Sam Mitchell out of the game on Friday night, aren't letting the coach down.

And half-back Corey Enright, a three-time All-Australian and former club champion, is still going strong and completed a stunning shut-down role on Cyril Rioli last week.

Enright turns 30 on Wednesday.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP