Nine new faces will run out in the Hoops for their first official match when Geelong takes on North Melbourne in the VFLW on Saturday.

AFL-listed Abbey McDonald will play her first game for points for the club after being picked up in the Season 7 draft last June. The exciting young defender has already shown promising signs across the club's practice matches, and has been named at half-back for the season-opener.

Poppy Schaap (Carlton AFLW/Geelong Falcons), Abby Favell (Box Hill Hawks VFLW) and Sarah Perrott (Hawks VFLW) are also among the group of nine club and league debutants.

The Cats also welcome back on-baller Sophie O'Dea and forward Cheryl de Groot, who previously played with the club in 2019 and 2017 respectively.

Four of Geelong's AFLW Season 8-listed players have been named in the side, with defender Melissa Bragg, defender/midfielder Gabbi Featherston and forward Mia Skinner named alongside McDonald.

The Cats take on the Kangaroos from 3pm at Deakin University Elite Sports Precinct on Saturday. All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.

The VFLW match will be part of a triple-header with the Geelong Falcons, who take on Dandenong Stingrays in the under 16s at 10am and under 18s at 12.30pm.

VFLW Round 1 Team

New faces: Abby McDonald (AFL-listed), Poppy Schaap, Sarah Perrott, Abby Favell, Emily Worpel, Eliza Wilson-MacDonald, Ella Firth, Olivia Cicolini, Danielle Stewart