Geelong ruckman Rhys Stanley says he can’t wait to see the new Joel Selwood Stand ‘bouncing’ in Round 1 against St.Kilda next week.

Fans got a sneak peek at the new stand last Friday when the Cats took on the Bombers in an AAMI Community Series match, but Stanely said that the opening round will be extra special.

“I can't wait,” he told media on Wednesday.

“We were saying that to a few of the fans, we can't wait to see them back here for Round 1. My wife was actually one of them with the kids sitting in the new stand and said it was unreal. 

“I think we had 10/11000 fans here for a practice match, which is awesome, so you can imagine the place bouncing with 40000.”

Stanley said the players were particularly interested to see how the new standing room section in the Ablett Terrace could change the atmosphere at home games. 

“I can't wait to see now that (standing section) evolves and plays out but we certainly can't wait to see full house here.”

Geelong have had strong availability on the track across the summer but according to Stanley, the time for talk is over, and all eyes are now firmly on the Saints.

“All this talk of a really good preseason, at the end of the day we've got to go and play now and we've got to go and prove ourselves against quality opposition, he said.

“We can't have too much to say this early in the year, it's a really long year, so we've got to get to work, put ourselves back up amongst the top runners.”

Geelong faces St.Kilda on Saturday, March 16 at GMHBA Stadium in Round 1 of the 2024 AFL season. Get your tickets here.