MITCH Duncan will use a VFL practice match on Friday night to prove he has overcome pre-Christmas hip surgery ahead of Geelong’s AFL season-opener against the GWS Giants on March 21.
Duncan, who missed the Cats finals against West Coast and Richmond due to a knee injury suffered in the qualifying final loss to Collingwood, also had off-season shoulder surgery.
He is one of five AFL-listed Geelong players named to take on Werribee at Deakin Uni’s Elite Sports Precinct at Waurn Ponds.
Emerging defenders Jack Henry and Mark O’Connor will both add to their hit-out against Essendon in the Marsh Series on Monday.
Rookie Bradley Close and veteran defender Lachie Henderson have also been named.
Henderson played against the Gold Coast on February 21 and was listed as managed at selection last week.
However, he played in the VFL practise match against the Bombers in Colac.
Geelong has named a 28-man squad for the match, which will be the last chance to impress for those still hoping for a VFL contract.
The Tigers have 29 players named, with eight players aligned to GFL clubs, including reigning Geelong Falcons best-and-fairest Jesse Clark.
Twitter: @tom_king79
GEELONG VFL SQUAD
22. Mitch Duncan*
25. Lachie Henderson*
38. Jack Henry*
42. Mark O’Connor*
45. Bradley Close*
47. Patrick Dowling
48. Aaron Black (c)
50. Dan Capiron
52. Jack McLachlan
53. Charlie Sprague
55. Luke Smith
56. Will Christie
57. Jye Chalcraft
58. Darcy Chirgwin
60. Nick Burke
61. Jesse Travaglini
64. Charlie Wilson
66. Teia Miles
67. Zach Walter
70. Jake Thrum
72. Adam Garner
73. Zach Zdybel
75. Callum Mitchell
76. Mitch Burgess
78. Isacc Wareham
80. Liam Herbert
81. Angus Byrne
