GEELONG will unveil promising young big man Shannon Neale in Saturday’s clash with Adelaide.
Neale was named as an emergency on Thursday night off the back of a five-goal haul in Sunday’s VFL win over the Northern Bullants.
However, the withdrawal of livewire forward Gary Rohan due to hamstring tightness on Friday afternoon has opened the door for the 202cm 19-year-old to get his chance.
“I’m pretty stoked,” Neale said.
“It has come as a surprise, but I remember Harry Taylor telling me a while ago that it will come when I least expect it, which it did.
“But I’m ready to soak it all in and focus on tomorrow.”
Drafted with pick no.33 in the 2020 National Draft, Neale will become Geelong’s fourth debutant in 2022, joining Ollie Dempsey, Cooper Stephens and Mitch Knevitt.
“I know I got drafted as a developing prospect and I kind of wanted to wash that away as quick as possible,” he said.
“I wanted to bang on the door and put my foot there, so I’m happy I’ve been able to do that and I’m just looking forward to going out there tomorrow.”
Ollie Dempsey has been elevated to Geelong’s emergency list alongside Quinton Narkle, Mitch Knevitt and Luke Dahlhaus.
Twitter: @tom_king79
