Geelong will take on Collingwood at Simonds Stadium on February 12 starting at 7.10pm EDT.
The Cats will then fly to Alice Springs to take on Melbourne at TIO Traeger Park on February 28 at 5.40pm CST.
To round off the Cats preseason campaign they will take on North Melbourne at Simonds Stadium on March 7 at 7pm.
Does my 2014 Cats membership give me free entry?
Unfortunately no. The NAB Challenge series is an AFL game rather than a club home game so fans will need to purchase tickets by clicking the links above.
Can I watch on TV?
The Cats matches with Collingwood and Melbourne will be televised on Fox Footy. The match against North Melbourne will not be televised on Fox Footy but the highlights will be shown on Cats TV.
Who will be available for the Cats?
The Cats are currently looking at a nearly full list to choose from for the NAB Cup campaign with Steven Motlop and Daniel Menzelthe only two ruled out. Skipper Joel Selwood has set his sights on playing at least one game following ankle surgery.
How long do the games go for?
The games will run for the exact same time as home and away games which is 20 minutes plus time on. The players will get a six minute break at ¼ and ¾ times and 20 minutes at half time.
How many players can each team field?
Clubs can select 26 players for each match of which at the start of the game there will be 18 on the field, six on the interchange bench and another two who will be substitutes. At half time, the clubs can reset which two players are subs.
How do players score?
As well as the traditional six points for a goal and one point for a behind, players will be awarded nine points for a goal scored from outside the 50m arc.
Changes to tackling?
Yes, ahead of its introduction into the 2014 home and away season, players who deliberately lead with the head into high contact will not receive a free kick and will need to dispose of the ball correctly so as to not incur a free kick against them.
Why are forwards happier in 2014?
The reason is the change to rules around marking contests. There will still be expectation that players demonstrate they are legitimately attempting to mark the ball, but players can use their body to protect space so long as those actions are incidental to the marking contest.
What happens if a player accidently runs on the field too early from the bench?
The regulations around interchanging will be modified to allow clubs to immediately rectify minor interchange infringements without penalty, by making a player return to the interchange box where he interchanges early or from slightly outside of the interchange box.
Why are there less people on the field?
Teams will now be permitted only one runner, who may deliver coaching messages and then immediately leave the playing arena. Medical staff and trainers will wear a neutral coloured vest to distinguish their uniforms from players. Teams will be permitted four trainers who may access the playing field at appropriate breaks in play. A 5th trainer will be permitted to attend to hydration and other activities such as massage, but will only be permitted on the arena to assist with stretcher cases.
