Geelong have refused to budge on their scheduled break for veteran forward Tom Hawkins, and will take on Gold Coast in Darwin without their two key forwards.
The Cats made the call on Hawkins before they were aware superstar goalkicker Jeremy Cameron would miss the game due to concussion protocols, but they are choosing to think creatively and stick with the plan.
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Not only are they missing their big forwards, Geelong have also decided to give veteran midfielder Mitch Duncan a spell as well.
Meanwhile, maligned ruck Rhys Stanley (who was subbed out of the game in unusual circumstances last week) has been ‘managed’, replaced in the team by young tap gun Toby Conway.
The side will be one of Geelong’s youngest to take the field in recent memory, already dealing with the absence of captain Patrick Dangerfield due to a hamstring injury.
It is the first time in eight years the Cats have taken the field without a Dangerfield, Duncan, or Hawkins in the line-up.
The 203cm Shannon Neale has also been named for what will be just his seventh AFL match.
Young mids Tanner Bruhn and Jack Bowes also come into the team.
Gold Coast are also heading into the match without an experienced ruck, choosing to rest co-captain Jarrod Witts.
Pressure forward Nick Holman and first-year guns Jed Walter and Jake Rogers are also being managed.
Young tall Ned Moyle comes into the team, and Brayden Fiorini, veteran mid David Swallow and forward Sam Day are back.
Thursday, May 16
Gold Coast v Geelong at TIO Stadium, 7pm ACST
GOLD COAST
In: B.Fiorini, N.Moyle, D.Swallow, S.Day
Out: J.Rogers (managed), J.Walter (managed), J.Witts (managed), N.Holman (managed)
Last week’s sub: Bailey Humphrey
GEELONG
In: S.Neale, T.Conway, J.Bowes, T.Bruhn
Out: J.Cameron (concussion), T.Hawkins (managed), R.Stanley (managed), M.Duncan (managed)
Last week’s sub: Oisin Mullin