GEELONG has named its Round 1 VFL team that will play North Melbourne in a curtain raiser at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday at 1pm.

The Cats have named a strong line-up comprising of 14 AFL-listed players including Esava Ratugolea who has been included after successfully getting through a half of football in Geelong's VFL practice match last weekend.

Ratugolea has been named to start at centre half forward and will be eager to start building his match fitness after a leg injury delayed his start to the season.

The match will also provide Geelong fans with their first opportunity to get a glimpse of new draftees Shannon Neale and Nick Stevens in action.

Aaron Black will skipper the team with new recruits and former Cats Jackson Thurlow and Darcy Lang also named in Geelong's 26-man squad.

Round 1 VFL Team