Sam Menegola will make his long-awaited return to footy via the VFL on Friday night as Geelong takes on Casey Demons at GMHBA Stadium.

The hard-running midfielder will play his first game since Geelong's pre-season match simulation against Hawthorn back in February, with surgery on his knee seeing him work through a rehabilitation program in the first half of the year.

Shannon Neale, who this week signed a two-year contract extension, will also make his return to the footy field after injury derailed the first half of his season, slotting into the Cats' forward line.

Oisin Mullin is back following an adductor issue, while Jack Bowes has also been named after playing as substitute last week in the AFL and co-vice-captain Daniel Capiron returns after being a late change against Frankston last week.

North Ballarat forward Jamie Quick is set to make his VFL debut, with the Ballarat Football Netball League leading goalkicker slotting into the Cats' forward line.

Rhys Stanley is among the outs after being named for his AFL return against Melbourne, while Osca Riccardi will miss through injury. Jack Evans, Tyler Norton, Ben Lloyd and Hamish Lucas have all been omitted, named in the emergencies for the Cats.

The Cats' VFL team has building in recent weeks, with two wins and a draw over the past month. The return of experienced and AFL-listed players will be a further boost against Casey, which sits a win-and-a-half clear of Geelong on the ladder.

The Cats are set to take on the Demons from 7.05pm at GMHBA Stadium on Friday. For those unable to attend, the match will be streamed live and free on the official AFL App and website.

VFL Round 14

In: Jack Bowes, Sam Menegola, Shannon Neale, Oisin Mullin, Daniel Capiron, Jamie Quick
Out: Rhys Stanley (AFL), Jack Evans, Tyler Norton, Ben Lloyd, Hamish Lucas, Osca Riccardi (injured)
Debut: Jamie Quick (North Ballarat/BFNL)