JAKE Kolodjashnij will debut for the Cats in Sunday's big #Boris300 clash with Melbourne at Simonds Stadium.
Kolodjashnij, a tall defender who has played 23 VFL games since being selected by Geelong with pick 41 in the 2013 national draft, has been named on a half-back flank.
The 19-year-old Tasmanian is one of five inclusions in Geelong's 25-man squad.
The others - Michael Luxford, Sam Blease, Jarrad Jansen and Nakia Cockatoo - have been named on the extended bench.
Injuries have forced Rhys Stanley (foot) and James Kelly (ankle) out of the side.
Kolodjashnij has been one of the Cats' most consistent performers in the VFL this season, but he didn't play at any level last weekend after travelling to Adelaide as an emergency for the AFL side's clash with Port Adelaide.
Luxford, who made his AFL debut against Essendon in round 10, also travelled to Adelaide, but he returned to Geelong on Friday night and lined up in the VFL game against North Ballarat at Simonds Stadium the following day.
The former basketballer tallied 28 disposals against the Roosters and was among the Cats' best players.
Blease, Jansen and Cockatoo also played in the VFL last weekend (read the match report here).
Geelong will name its final team for the game against the Demons at 5pm on Friday.
CATS TEAM
Backs: Jared Rivers, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
Half-backs: Cameron Guthrie, Tom Lonergan, Jake Kolodjashnij
Centres: Andrew Mackie, Joel Selwood, Steven Motlop
Half-forwards: Cory Gregson, Josh Walker, Steve Johnson
Forwards: Jordan Murdoch, Tom Hawkins, Darcy Lang
Followers: Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy, Mathew Stokes
Interchange from: Jed Bews, Sam Blease, Nakia Cockatoo, Jarrad Jansen, Shane Kersten, Michael Luxford, Jackson Thurlow
In: Michael Luxford, Jake Kolodjashnij, Sam Blease, Jarrad Jansen, Nakia Cockatoo
Out: Rhys Stanley (foot), James Kelly (ankle)
