Six Geelong Cats players are set to make their AFL Women’s debut, while a further two will make their club debut, in the Cats’ season-opener on Saturday.

The Cats have named a host of new faces in their team of 21 to take on North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos, with the products of a busy off-season ready to help the Cats kick off their 2022 campaign.

Draftees Georgie Prespakis, Zali Friswell and Annabel Johnson are set to make their AFLW debut, alongside VFLW alumni Claudia Gunjaca and Liv Fuller, as well as Gaelic star Rachel Kearns.

Experienced AFLW players Chloe Scheer and Chantel Emonson are also straight into the side after joining the Cats during the 2021 Sign and Trade Period.

The Cats’ top pick in the 2021 draft, Georgie Prespakis, has been named in centre for the clash.

The younger sister of Carlton player and 2020 AFLW Best and Fairest Maddy Prespakis, Georgie is already well known across the league before running out for her first game.

The 18-year-old is a tenacious inside midfielder, easily recognisable for her commitment to donning a long-sleeved guernsey regardless of the weather, and enjoyed an incredible 2021 season.

Prespakis won the NAB League Girl’s best and fairest award, and also lined up for Essendon’s VFLW team, including in the VFLW Preliminary Final against Geelong, just days after being drafted to the Cats.

Her Calder Cannons teammate Zali Friswell has also been named on the interchange for the Round 1 clash. Having just snuck into the 2021 draft pool with a birthday on 30 December, the recently-turned 18-year-old also enjoyed a strong final season in the junior competition, and played some games for the VFLW Bombers.

Also a midfielder by trade, the 165cm Friswell is a talented inside and outside midfielder, with good speed and agility.

After playing against them in the VFLW Prelim, Prespakis and Friswell are set to line up alongside fellow new Cats Claudia Gunjaca, Liv Fuller and Annabel Johnson.

Gunjaca was the Cats’ VFLW vice-captain in 2021, and was acting captain in the second half of the season following an injury to Michelle Fedele.

The 24-year-old has the talent to play at both ends of the ground as a strong-marking key position player, but will start the season as a forward target, having been named in centre half-forward.

Gunjaca made an instant impact for Geelong's VFLW side, returning to Victoria after a stint in Sydney which saw her win the prestigious Mostyn Medal as AFL Sydney's Women's Premier Division's Best and Fairest.

After producing a memorable final month of the VFLW season, Liv Fuller is ready and raring to go after being named in the ruck for Round 1.

With a basketball background, Fuller recently found her way back to football, and has gone from strength-to-strength as a developing ruck since joining the Cats.

She had particularly memorable outings against Collingwood in consecutive weeks - the final week of the VFLW season and the qualifying final - named best on ground on both occasions.

Annabel Johnson's journey footy newbie to AFLW footballer has been remarkable in both its scope and speed.

The 21-year-old hadn't played in a major competition before joining the Cats' VFLW team when she moved to Geelong from Echuca, but was quick to impress, her workrate on the wing and ability to read the play eventually seeing her selected with pick 15 in the draft.

The Cats’ first AFLW international signing, Rachel Kearns has made a seamless transition from Gaelic football to Aussie Rules.

A fierce competitor who has heartily embraced the physicality of the Australian game, Kearns will line up on the half-forward line.

From County Mayo, Kearns has an elite sporting background, skilled in Gaelic Football, soccer and boxing. She is a two-time All-Star as a Gaelic Footballer, represented Ireland in its Under 19 national soccer side, and won two All-Ireland medals as a boxer.

Lifetime Geelong Cats supporter Chloe Scheer will run out in her new no.14 guernsey, wearing the Hoops for the first time after being named in the forward line.

A premiership player with the Adelaide Crows, Scheer joined the Cats via a trade during the off-season. An explosive forward with strong overhead marking abilities, the 22-year-old is another who has impressed after a solid pre-season.

Former Demon Chantel Emonson is another who has made a big impact since making her way to the Cattery via a trade.

As well as impressing with her ability, Emonson’s leadership has come to the fore, with the 28-year-old elevated to the player leadership group just months after joining the club.

The Cats take on North Melbourne Tasmania Kangaroos at Arden Street Oval from 5.10pm on Saturday.