The VFL Cats will face their biggest challenge so far this season when they take on North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium this Sunday. The 10^th placed Cats will need a win against the 12^th placed Roosters to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Cats will be without the senior experience of Mathew Stokes who has been rewarded with AFL selection after for his great form at VFL level.

Sam Blease who missed last week’s match will miss again as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered in the Cats’ loss to Essendon VFL a fortnight ago.

In a boost for the side Jed Bews will return after being managed last week and young ruckman Tom Read will return after illness kept him sidelined the past fortnight.

Billie Smedts will also return after being omitted from the AFL side.

The last time the two sides met was round 9, 2015 at Simonds Stadium. The Cats snatched victory, coming from behind to win 15.12.102 to North Ballarat 14.9.93.

Head to head the sides have played 27 times, Geelong 15 wins, North Ballarat 12.

A total of 15 AFL listed players are named in the squad of 27 which will be amended to 23 on Sunday morning. 

B: Ruggles, Robinson, Cunico

HB: Bews, Rivers, Jansen

C: Gore, Smedts, Menzel

HF: Luxford, Lucey, Sheringham

F: Bates, Vardy, Paliouras

R: Simpson, Horlin-Smith, Cowan

I/C: Tudor, Read, Farrelly, Dixon, Maas, Rees, Atkins, Haintz, Cole

VFL Round 17

North Ballarat v Geelong Cats

1.30pm, Sunday 9^th August

Eureka Stadium, 729 Creswick Road, Ballarat

Follow @GeelongVFL on twitter for live updates

VFL Admission Prices

Geelong Cats members $5

Adults $10

Concession $5

Children under 15 FREE