Jackson Sheringham (knee) and Jed Bews (foot) are both likely starters on Saturday after recovering from their respective injuries. The two key inclusions will help cover the loss of Norm Goss Medallist George Horlin-Smith (AFL) and Jesse Stringer (hamstring).
AFL omission Jordan Murdoch and VFL debutant Sandy Robinson join Sheringham and Bews as notable additions to the 27 man squad.
Former Newtown & Chilwell star big man Robinson was added to the VFL list this week following the one week suspension handed down to VFL listed ruckman Andrew ‘Banjo’ Banjanin for striking.
With ‘Banjo’ joining fellow ruck options Hamish McIntosh (achillies), Dawson Simpson (back), Nathan Vardy (groin), Josh Walker (shoulder) and Ryan Bathie (soreness) on the sidelines, the Cats were forced to go outside their current AFL and VFL lists to find a ruck suitable option.
Robinson 25, who is now playing for Hampden Football League side Port Fairy, trained with the VFL Cats for most of the pre-season, played all 3 practice games and is currently training with the Cats one night a week as part of the development squad.
Robinson is sure to face a baptism of fire in his VFL debut as the Box Hill Hawks have a plethora of ruck options in Luke Lowden (204cm), Jonthan Ceglar (204cm) and Sam Grimley (199cm).
In other selection news, both new recruit Jai Sheahan and VFL veteran Rob Condy have been named in the squad and are a chance to play their first games of the year, while Dane McFarlane will play his third and final home and away match as the 23rd player this weekend.
The Hawthorn aligned Box Hill Hawks squad features a host of familiar names such as new Hawthorn recruit Brian Lake, Kyle Cheney and the talented Shane Savage. The ‘star power’ adds to an already dangerous combination of young AFL talent and a strong group of experienced VFL listed players such as Daniel Pratt, Sam Illes, Marc Lock and David Mirra.
One familiar name in the Box Hill Hawks line up is dual Geelong VFL best & fairest winner and 2012 VFL premiership player Jonathan Simpkin who was recruited by Hawthorn as a free agent after being delisted by the Cats at the end of 2012.
Simpkin was recruited to the Cats after being cut by the Sydney Swans in 2007 and went onto to play 78 games for the VFL Cats between 2008 and 2012.
Simpkin also played 4 AFL matches for the Cats throughout this period including his appearance as the sub in the 2012 Elimination final loss to Fremantle.
The Damien Carroll coached Hawks will be out for revenge after the Cats ended their 2012 finals campaign in the semi final at Casey Fields last year. A defeat that is no doubt still fresh in the mind of a number of Hawks players. The hard fought contest added to the feeling between the two clubs that has come about as an overflow from the great Geelong and Hawthorn rivalry.
The match kicks off at 1.10pm and will be televised live on the ABC from 1.00pm.
For those unable to get to the ground or a TV, the match will be broadcast on 94.1 FM or as stream via the website at www.3wbc.org.au
You can also participate in the Cats live VFL chat with VFL writer Nathan Kettle by clicking here.
Admission Details:
Gates open at 12.00pm.
Geelong Cats Members - FREE
Adult $10.00
Concession/Pensioner $5.00
Visiting VFL Club Members on presentation of VFL Club Membership card and Concession/Pensioner $5.00
Children under 12 years - FREE
Bendigo Bank Cats – Round 3 Selected Side
B: Joshua Hunt, Matthew Sully, Jed Bews
HB: Cameron Guthrie, Mitch Brown, Cameron Eardley
C: Jordan Murdoch, Troy Selwood, Jackson Thurlow
HF: Daniel Menzel, Jack Hollmer, Mark Corrigan
F: Brad Hartman, Joel Hamling, Dominic Gleeson
R: Sandy Robinson, Jackson Sheringham, Jordan Schroder
I/C: Piers Flanagan, Ben Raidme, Robert Condy, Daniel Measures, Daniel Gibbs, Jai Sheahan, Jaxson Barham, Mitch Fisher, Dane McFarlane (23rd Player)
