Geelong coach Chris Scott believes Rhys Stanley still has a role to play at AFL level despite being overlooked for the opening two rounds of the season.
Stanley will line up in the Cats’ VFL season-opener against St Kilda-affiliate Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday after missing last week’s practice match against Port Melbourne.
“That was a bit of the management plan,” Scott said. “It’s always easier when your VFL team plays after your AFL team.
“So, this is the right time for him to get some match practice. I think I said it last week, but I’m supremely confident that he will play a good chunk of AFL footy this year.
“We’re just not exactly sure when it’s going to be, but nice to have. We just want to keep him fit and available without running him into the ground.”
Former Carlton star Jack Martin and 2024 draftees Jay Polkinghorne and Patrick Retschko will make their first official appearances for Geelong.
Two-time premiership veteran Mitch Duncan and small forward Shaun Mannagh will back up their appearances last week against the Zebras.
Scott admitted at his weekly media conference this morning that there was a temptation to bring Mannagh into the AFL team this week.
“I can’t give you an accurate forecast as to when he’ll come in, other than it’ll probably be a situation where we err on the side of giving him a little bit extra,” Scott said.
“My gut feel is he could come in and play well for us this week. Now, we’re not doing that.
“Whether we wait another week or two, it’s somewhere in that vicinity.”
Geelong will field 11 AFL and 12 VFL-listed players against the Zebras.
Among the debutants for the Cats are St Joseph’s star Paddy De Grandi, Bell Park’s Kobe George, and Charlie McCartin, the brother of former AFL No.1 draft pick Patrick and current Sydney star Tom, who played two games for the Swans last year.
X: @krockfootball
GEELONG
| B | O. Riccardi (49) | D.Capiron (50) | M. Herbert (62) |
| HB | W. Sheahan (72) | C. McCartin (51) | D. Edmends (53) |
| C | M. Duncan (22) | G. Stevens (15) | O. Wiltshire (21) |
| HF | P. Retschko (27) | J. Polkinghorne (2) | S. Mannagh (7) |
| F | N. Kreuger (69) | R. Stanley (1) | J. Martin (19) |
| R | J. Pike (37) | T. Clohesy (40) | P. Hughes (64) |
| INT | K. George (67) | J. Sarcevic (52) | H. Lucas (82) |
| P. De Grandi (60) | T. Murray (61) | ||
| 23rd Player | K. George (67) | ||
| EMG | T. Wyburd (54) | M. Lloyd (56) | J. Ballantyne (57) |
| K. Annand (59) | T. White (63) | P. Kelly (74) | |
| L. Antonac (79) | |||
