Geelong veteran Tom Hawkins is doing his best to remain optimistic as he awaits the results of scans that will determine whether he can continue his AFL career.
Hawkins injured his left foot while pushing off for a lead during Geelong's 63-point loss to Carlton on Friday night.
The 359-game veteran underwent surgery on his left foot at the end of 2022, but coach Chris Scott says the latest injury isn't in the same part of the foot.
Hawkins turns 36 in July, and faces a nervous wait to find out the seriousness of his latest setback.
"(It's) a bit disappointing, but I am still pretty optimistic," Hawkins told reporters on Monday.
"I'm always pretty optimistic about life in general. Once I find out the information I will put together a little bit of a plan.
"I can respect that there is interest with age and current form, but it (whether it's the end of his season or career) is far from my mind at the moment."
His teammate Patrick Dangerfield didn't want to speculate on the seriousness of the injury either.
"We were able to get scans over the weekend, but there's a bit of complexity around it," Dangerfield said.
"It's a question for our medicos and for really experienced people in that industry, and we haven't quite got those opinions yet.
"There's a fair bit to work through.
"Tom's had a history with that foot, so that adds to the complication and challenges with understanding scans when there's a fair bit happening there already.
"We'll get a greater picture of that today, tomorrow, and potentially the back end of the week."
Geelong's season is in freefall, with six losses from their past seven matches dropping the Cats to seventh with an 8-6 record.
Saturday night's clash with Essendon looms as a significant junction for the Cats.
Dangerfield became a tad testy when asked whether the Cats are still in the flag hunt or would instead put more focus into development.
"I think it's time to quit. There's only nine games left, I don't think there's any point," Dangerfield said sarcastically.
When pressed, Dangerfield gave a more in-depth analysis of where he thinks Geelong sit.
"The list is always in a transition phase, I think that's regardless of whatever position you're in - whether you're in 17th or you're in first," he said.
"We'll always pick the best team, but at times it does provide opportunity to blood some younger players.
"We still feel we're absolutely in the hunt this season. There's a few little tweaks we need to make in order to improve, that's clear, but by no means is it insurmountable."
Dangerfield will miss the match against Essendon unless he is successful in overturning his one-match ban for a dangerous tackle at the AFL Tribunal.