COOPER Stephens will debut, Patrick Dangerfield will return, and Joel Selwood is again sidelined among four changes to the Geelong team for Saturday’s twilight clash with the GWS Giants in Canberra.
The Cats have also named midfielder Quinton Narkle and small forward Francis Evans for the trip to the national capital.
Selwood (corked quad) and Shaun Higgins (general soreness) join Max Holmes (syndesmosis) as forced changes, with Ollie Dempsey and Luke Dahlhaus, who was the medi-sub replacement for Holmes, both dropped.
Rhys Stanley has been named despite suffering an ankle injury late in the loss to Fremantle.
Dempsey, Zach Guthrie, Esava Ratugolea and the uncapped Mitch Knevitt are the emergencies.
Stephens, who was drafted with Geelong’s first pick in the 2019 National Draft (No.16 overall) from Colac/Geelong Falcons, has averaged 23 disposals in the opening month of the VFL season.
The 21-year-old told the club’s website his parents were close to tears when he told them of his debut.
“I think they were both very excited and very proud,” he said.
“It has been a long time coming, lots of ups and downs, and they’ve rode the downs more than I have, so it meant a lot to them.
“They are super proud, and I am really happy I get to share this moment with them.”
K rock is live from 3pm (AEST) on FM 95.5 across Geelong and the Surf Coast.
The stream commences on krock.com.au and then switches to AFL.com.au, and the AFL app begins at 4:05pm.
Twitter: @tom_king79
AFL ROUND 8
GWS GIANTS (15th) vs. GEELONG (7th)
Manuka Oval – Canberra
Saturday, May 7, 4:35pm
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