We take a look at the players who are in contention to come into the team against the Dees from last year’s preliminary final side.

Gary Ablett
The famous Ablett name returns to the Cattery and is firmly in the mix to make his first appearance for the cats since 2010.

Should the two-time Brownlow medallist make his long-awaited return on Sunday, the Ablett family can draw level with the Silvagni family in fourth spot in VFL/AFL history for most games by a father/single son pair.

Stewart Crameri
New Recruit Stewart Crameri returned from injury to collect 12 possessions and five marks in the VFL on Friday to put himself in contention for round one.

If he is named against the Dees, Crameri will play his 100th game, following 57 games at Essendon and 42 at the Western Bulldogs.

Lachlan Fogarty
Drafted to the club with the Cats first pick in the 2017 Draft, Fogarty has impressed everyone since joining the club. A good decision-maker and efficient user of the ball by hand and foot, the 18-year-old is in the mix to debut this weekend.

Zach Guthrie
Was named as an emergency for the preliminary final last year. Following the retirements of Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie, he is a good chance to be brought in to bolster the defence.

Tim Kelly
Has been super impressive since being drafted to the club with pick 24 in the 2017 AFL draft. Strong in the contest and with elite disposal, Kelly is expected to make his debut in round one.

Gryan Miers
Another first-year player in contention to debut in round one after showing encouraging signs throughout the AFLX and JLT Series as a small forward.

Jordan Murdoch
Murdoch will be hopeful of a return to the senior team after being named in the Cats best in his past two VFL practice matches.

James Parsons
An instinctive and clever forward, Parsons played 20 games and kicked 14 goals in 2017 and will come into contention for a place in the front six again in round one.

Jackson Thurlow
Was a consistent performer for the Cats throughout the JLT Series averaging 16 disposals per match. With an ability to play in all areas of the ground, Thurlow will be strongly considered to play his first match since round 22 last year.