GEELONG coach Chris Scott has conceded his side may put time into Hawthorn playmaker Sam Mitchell in their qualifying final clash next week.

Scott was hesitant to give too much away at a press conference in the Fox Footy TV studios yesterday, but said he and his coaching staff would need to weigh up their options to counter the four-time premiership star.

“I can’t give you too much information, even if I wanted to at this point,” Scott said.

“If Scott (Selwood) plays he’ll be a candidate (to play on Mitchell) obviously, but we’ve seen lots of teams go with different methods against Sam – not many have worked.

“We’ll obvioiusly think through it, but we’ve got a lot respect for him as a player, what he means to their team and he’s a proven performer on the big stage, so he’ll take up a bit of our time.”

Mitchell has an exceptional record against Geelong in recent times, averaging 31.7 disposals and 6 clearances per game in Hawthorn’s last nine matches against the Cats.

The Hawks’ ball magnet racked up 36 disposals and eight clearances in the last instalment of what is now a famous modern rivalry, but has saved his best performances against Geelong for finals.

Mitchell collected 36 disposals and six clearances in the Hawks’ 2014 qualifying final against the Cats, which Hawthorn won by six goals on their way to the premiership.

He also amassed 38 disposals and 11 clearances as Geelong’s 11-game winning streak over Hawthorn was broken in the 2013 preliminary final with a famous come-from-behind victory.

Scott Selwood has played just three games this season after crossing over from West Coast at the end of last year and missed the Cats’ final home-and-away game for the season with hamstring tightness.

Selwood blanketed Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis in the Cats’ win over the Bombers in Round 20 and has proven an effective tagger over his 138-game career.