GEELONG will open its 2019 campaign against last year’s premiers, with the Cats set venture west to take on the Eagles in the club’s JLT Community Series opener.

The Cats will face West Coast at Leederville Oval, home of the East Perth and Subiaco football clubs on Friday, March 1.

Geelong will then return home to GMHBA Stadium for a Powercor Country Festival clash with Essendon to round out the two round community series on Thursday, March 7.

The community series will comprise of 18 games played across two weekends, including Adelaide, Sydney and West Australian derbies.

The first game of the series could see Dylan Shiel don the sash for the first time as the Bombers take on Carlton at Ikon Park.

Lachie Neale could play his first game for the Lions against Chad Wingard and the Hawks, while Dayne Beams and the Magpies play Jesse Hogan, Rory Lobb and the Dockers’ new-look forward line.

Tom Lynch and the Tigers will take on Steven May and the Demons in round one of action.