The North Melbourne aligned Roosters who are yet to win a match in 2014, will be boosted by the inclusion of Kangaroos captain and three-time best and fairest winner Andrew Swallow, who will return from a long term Achilles injury.
While at selection for the Cats, Nick Bourke is the only player listed to return from injury, while fellow rookie listed player Michael Luxford (general soreness) is the only outgoing listed player at this stage.
With the Geelong AFL side playing on Sunday the 7-man AFL interchange bench of Steven Motlop, Taylor Hunt, Mark Blicavs, Jordan Schroder, Dawson Simpson, Jackson Thurlow and Josh Walker have all been named in the 31-player squad.
Former Geelong Falcon Fraser Fort will play his 4th game this season as the 23rd player, but it is possible that he will be relieved of his makeshift ruckman duties with Simpson, Blicavs and Andrew Banjanin all being named in the extended squad.
Banjanin has been rushed straight back into the side after being overseas for the past month.
Banjanin is joined on the list of potential incoming VFL listed players by 2013 VFL Team of the Year member Mathew Sully, Colac midfielder, St Mary’s defender Kane Leersen, Zak Sherman and Newtown speedster Dane McFarlane. Daniel Measures will play for St Joseph’s in the ANZAC Day clash after being omitted.
The Cats know they are in for a tough day at the office whenever they come up against the Roosters who are coached by former Geelong player and three time VFL premiership coach Gerard Fitzgerald. While the names of the stars who helped them win a hat trick of VFL premierships (2008-2010) are slowly fading away, they are now looking to a host of exciting young players, mostly from the Ballarat region, to lead the way.
Despite not winning a game after the first three rounds, the Roosters have been in contention in all 3 matches – with losses to Collingwood and Essendon both being by 2 goals or less.
The Cats and Roosters met earlier this year in a practice match at Simonds Stadium with Cats running out 48-point winners. However the two sides that take to the field on Sunday will be very different from the teams that played in that low key affair and the stakes will be much higher this time around.
The match kicks off at 12.00pm on Saturday with the Polly Farmer Gates (Moorabool St side) opening at 11.00am. For those that cannot get to the game – be sure to follow all the action on Twitter at @GeelongVFL.
Bendigo Bank Cats – Round 4 Selected Side
B: Jed Bews, Jake Kolodjashnij, Nick Bourke
HB: Jackson Thurlow, Joel Hamling, Taylor Hunt
C: Steven Motlop, Jarrad Jansen, Darcy Lang
HF: Bradley Hartman, Josh Walker, Dominic Gleeson (c)
F: James Toohey, Mitch Brown, Mark Blicavs
R: Dawson Simpson, Jesse Stringer, Jordan Schroder
I/C: Andrew Banjanin, Mitch Herbison, Jack Hollmer, Chris Lynch, Tom Maas, Matthew Sully, Daniel Gibbs, Kane Leersen, Luke Bath, James Linton, Fraser Fort, Dane McFarlane, Zak Sherman (23rd Player)
