The Bendigo Bank Cats have named a host of big names ahead of their blockbuster clash against Williamstown at Torquay Football Ground on Easter Sunday. A huge crowd is predicted to the match that is fast becoming as traditional on this weekend as hot cross buns and chocolate eggs.

With the AFL squad not to be finalised until Saturday, all 7 players on the extended AFL bench – Allen Christensen, Mathew Stokes, Trent West, Josh Caddy, Joshua Walker, Jesse Stringer and George Horlin-Smith - have been named in the 31 man squad.

The extended squad includes just 9 players who played in last year’s VFL premiership side – experienced VFL trio Troy Selwood, Dom Gleeson, Mark Corrigan and AFL listed youngsters Cameron Eardley, Ryan Bathie, Joshua Walker, Mitch Brown, Jordan Schroder and George Horlin-Smith.

Amongst the other inclusions for the Cats are new recruits Piers Flanagan (Gold Coast Suns) and Jai Sheahan (Melbourne), while speedy wingman Dane McFarlane has been confirmed as the 23rd player.

McFarlane was all set to play with the Modewarre Warriors against the Torquay Tigers at Torquay on Saturday – but will instead run out at Torquay on Sunday and make his VFL debut.

First year AFL players Jackson Thurlow and Brad Hartman join McFarlane as certain VFL debutants, while Queenscliff midfielder Daniel Measures is considered a strong chance to join them.

After making the preliminary final last year and recruiting well, Williamstown are one of the raging favorites to win the 2013 VFL premiership.

The Peter German coached outfit have named a formidable line for Sunday that includes a host of regulars such as Ben Jolley, Patrick Veszpremi, Lukas Markovic and Christian Howard. They have been named alongside new recruits Brent Prismall (Essendon), Cameron Wood (Collingwood), Justin Sherman (Western Bulldogs) and Leigh Williams (Melbourne).

The Western Bulldogs aligned Seagulls have also named a number of the Bulldogs highly rated draft picks from recent drafts including last year’s top 10 picks Jackson MacRae and Jake Stringer.

The match kicks off at 2.00pm with the gates opening at 10.00am. The Cats will unfurl their 2012 VFL Premiership flag at 1.45pm.

A curtain raiser between the Geelong Super Rules team and the Williamstown Super Rules team will commence at 10.15am.

Entry is $5.00 for all Geelong Cats, Williamstown, Western Bulldogs & Torquay Tigers members. $10.00 for general public and children under 15 gain free entry.

Bendigo Bank Cats – Round 1 Squad
B: Cameron Eardley, Ryan Bathie, Brad Hartman
HB: Jackson Thurlow, Joel Hamling, Piers Flanagan
C: Josh Caddy, Troy Selwood, Jesse Stringer
HF: Mark Corrigan, Joshua Walker, Mathew Stokes
F: Dominic Gleeson, Mitchell Brown, Jordan Schroder
R: Trent West, George Horlin-Smith, Allen Christensen
I/C (from): Matthew Sully, Jai Sheahan, Andrew Banjanin, Mitch Fisher, Ben Raidme, Daniel Gibbs, Jaxson Barham, Ben Capra, Rob Condy, Tom Maas, Daniel Measures, Jackson Hollmer, Dane McFarlane (23rd Player)