Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield is the latest Cats star in serious doubt for their Friday opener against Gold Coast.

The veteran champion has been dealing with a calf injury and is racing the clock to be fit for the big game at People First Stadium.

Geelong are confident star forward Jeremy Cameron (quad/hip) and Bailey Smith (calf) will play against the Suns, but they are less hopeful on key playmaker Gryan Miers (thumb).

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It has been less than an ideal pre-season for coach Chris Scott who has had to navigate the health of several stars over the summer.

Cameron has been a huge concern, with the broken arm he suffered in last year’s grand final taking longer to recover than expected.

“Jeremy and Bailey will clearly be ready from a physical perspective and they’ll play,” Scott said.

“(But) we don’t have a very high tolerance for pushing guys that aren’t ready.

“We’re much less tolerant of that stuff now ... he (Miers) had surgery on a thumb, he has got the all-clear to play but just because he can play doesn’t mean he should.

“Gryan, it’s one of those situations where 15 years ago he would be a certainty ... because it was a badge of honour playing with these things.”

Gold Coast are dealing with their own issues with key forward Jed Walter, who had pressed his case for selection with two early goals against the Lions, out with a one-week suspension.

Reigning Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell also won’t play as he recovers from surgery on his hand after a State of Origin injury.

“He’s got a big cast on at the moment; it looks ridiculous, like he’s got a broken arm but it’s just a knuckle,” Rowell’s teammate Touk Miller said.

“But he’s already out on the field catching footys … he can’t get away from it.”

Geelong were disassembled by the Lions in last year’s decider and Miller said he was excited by the early challenge.

“We’ve got the last two grand finalists (in successive weeks). It’s a really good test … to see how our team’s going to stack up,” he said.

“You’ve got to be at your best, we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

- With AAP