Cam Guthrie will miss Chris Scott's record-breaking game as Geelong coach but the Cats premiership midfielder has his eye on a return soon.
Scott will surpass the legendary Reg Hickey, who has a stand named after him at GMHBA Stadium, as the longest-serving coach in the Cats' proud history when Geelong host Fremantle on Saturday.
Hickey's record of 304 games has stood since 1959 but Scott will overtake it, after starting as Geelong coach back in 2011 and leading the Cats to two premierships.
Guthrie’s first year at the club was in 2011, and he has now played 236 games under Scott.
The 30-year-old has not featured since round six due to a frustrating toe injury but is hoping to have an impact late in Geelong's push for a finals spot.
"I've got one eye on late rounds in the season to hopefully come back and contribute," Guthrie told reporters on Friday.
"I want to be there but at the same time I want to be able to contribute something positive to the team and not just come in because I've played a lot of footy previously.
"That's the driving factor for me to come back in - to offer something of myself and offer something to the team."
Guthrie hailed Scott's influence and the way he had been able to unite the group amid numerous disappointing finals results before eventually breaking through to win last year's ultimate prize.
"The way that Scotty's gone about his business the whole time, the integrity that he carries, the way he encourages us to play our footy and live our lives," Guthrie said.
"I've got a clear memory after the 2021 prelim, where we were pretty down; the way he backed his players in to go again when everyone was a bit down and out was one of the most special things about Scotty's time here."
Scott has been determined to deflect praise about himself in the lead-up to his milestone match but was unable to do that on Friday.
"It also has sunk in a little bit that when I walk out onto the ground and I see the Reg Hickey Stand, just the enormity of the Hickey name in Geelong's history, and to be associated with that in some way is very humbling," he said.
"Zach Tuohy broke a record a couple of weeks ago and he said something to the effect of, 'To be in any way associated with the name (Jim) Stynes is almost a little embarrassing'.
"That's even more so for me."
Geelong lost to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last Saturday but will consolidate their spot in the top-eight if they can, as expected, take care of the beleaguered Dockers.
