Djerrkura, 18, was chosen by the Cats at pick 25 in the 2006 national draft after he was the stand-out player for the Northern Territory in last year's under 18 national championships.

Geelong football operations manager Neil Balme said the NAB Cup quarter-final clash in Darwin presented the ideal chance to give Djerrkura an opportunity to show his wares.

"He is an interesting story, his father was very senior at ATSIC but died a couple of years ago and Nathan has spent the past two years boarding at Scotch College in Melbourne," Balme said.

"He is from Gove (in East Arnhem Land) and he is very quick."

"He played very well in our reserves last week and we are excited about taking him up to Darwin with us this week."

Djerrkura, who is a ball-winning midfielder with great evasive skills, was recruited to the Cats from NTFL club Wanderers and stands 176cm and 80kg.

His father, who passed away in May 2004 just one month short of his 55th birthday, was one of the Australia's most respected Aboriginal leaders and chairman of ATSIC from December, 1996 until 2000.

In 1984 he was awarded the Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia OAM) for his services to the Aboriginal community.

With the Cats able to field eight interchange players (instead of the usual six) this week because the match will be played in the extreme heat and humidity of Darwin, Balme said Djerrkura may not be the only newcomer in the Cats line-up.

Former Essendon player Joel Reynolds, now on the Cats' rookie list, is also expected to be in the 26-man squad while the Cats may also include Henry Playfair and David Johnson, who both played in the reserves last week.

While veteran defender Darren Milburn has definitely been ruled out after receiving a kick to the head from Richmond's Andrew Krakouer during last week's first round win at Geelong, Balme said most of the Cats' other experienced players were expected to make the trip.

Balme said new skipper Tom Harley and former skipper Steven King were both keen to play, after having made promising starts to 2007 last week, after missing much of last year through injury.

But star forward Paul Chapman and much-improved defender Max (formerly Jarad) Rooke remain on the injured list although both are expected to be fit for the start of the home and away season at the end of March.