It’s finals time for the VFL Cats this weekend who have named their 27-man squad for Saturday’s elimination final against Essendon.

Jed Bews (AFL), Tom Stewart (shoulder) and Sam Dobson return to the side this weekend.

A total of 15 AFL-listed players are named in the VFL squad of 27 which will be reduced to 23 on Saturday.

Will Sexton will be the Cats’ 23^rd player this weekend.

The VFL Cats last met Essendon in round 16 at Simonds Stadium, the Cats took the points that day with a 78-point win. Among the Cats’ best were Darcy Lang and George Horlin-Smith.

Although, Essendon got over the top of the Cats in round 5 with a 21-point win at Windy Hill.

Essendon snuck into the top 8 after being well led in recent weeks by the experience of mark Jamer, James Polkinghorne, Aaron Francis and Shaun Edwards.

The Dons also have a high number of AFL listed players who have qualified under VFL Finals Eligibility Rules including Jonathon Simpkin, Sam Grimley, Jackson Merrett, Nick Kommer, Shaun McKernan, Conor McKenna and Jake Long.

CATS TEAM

B: (51) Tsitas, (45) Delaney, (2) Smedts

HB: (24) Bews, (66) Edwards, (21) Murdoch

C: (39) Kersten, (64) Atkins, (37) Luxford

HF: (43) Bates, (30) Vardy, (5) Cockatoo

F: (34) Parsons, (12) Buzza, (11) Lang

R: (42) Lucey, (33) Horlin-Smith, (65) McLachlan

I/C: (67) Stewart, (73) House, (63) Dobson, (61) Raidme, (58) Abbott, (52) Hickey, (17) Cornell, (81) Floyd, (69) Sexton – 23^rd player

ELIMINATION FINAL

Geelong Cats v Essendon

Saturday 3^rd September

2.40pm (Gates open from 12.30pm)

North Port Oval, Port Melbourne

VFL Finals (Week 1-3) Admission Prices 

Adults $15, 

Concession/Pensioners $10, 

Children Under 12 Free

Patrons can enter the ground via the entry points on Williamstown Road or Ingles Street.

Cats supporters are strongly advised to arrive at least 45 minutes before first bounce to avoid long queues at entry points.

This weekend’s match will also be broadcast live from 2.30pm on Channel 7 in Victoria.

This year, in addition to live and exclusive match coverage on Channel 7, fans will be able to watch the VFL match of the round streamed live on mobile, tablet and PC via PLUS7 Live. Simply download the PLUS7 Live app or visit the website https://au.tv.yahoo.com/plus7/live/ and enjoy live coverage (interstate viewers using the app or website can change the location to Victoria to view matches). If you miss the game live on Sunday, no worries. The VFL match of the round will be replayed on 7 Catchup  https://au.tv.yahoo.com/plus7/vfl/ during the week