Can Mitch Duncan force his way in for round one?

Today's headlines

• Three ins for Cats
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Enemy camp: Saints make three changes
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Ford 85th anniversary guernsey winner announced
  Thu, Sep 02, 10

Today's videos

• Match committee Qual Final
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Friday conversation: Paul Chapman (part 2)
  Thu, Sep 02, 10
• Friday conversation: Paul Chapman (part 1)
  Thu, Sep 02, 10

With just one practice game left on the colander for the Cats ahead of the round one clash with Essendon, thoughts are starting to turn to just who will run out at the MCG for the season opener.

Geelong has used 34 players in the two preseason games that have been completed, with a number of players pushing for inclusion through good form.

Tom Harley, who will be in the channel 7 commentary box when round one rolls around, will obviously be missing from the brave 22 that won the Cats an eighth premiership last September.

Joel Corey underwent an arthroscopy on his knee after the NAB Cup clash with North Melbourne, and Max Rooke has yet to appear in the practice matches would appear to be in doubt, but they will be doing everything possible to get up for the game.

So it could be that 19 of the grand final 22 are available and fully fit and likely to get the call. That would leave three spots up for grabs.

The likes of Ryan Gamble, Simon Hogan and Nathan Djerrkura have not played in the preseason and that may open up competition for new faces…and one familiar one.

One obvious inclusion is Josh Hunt, now back in action after missing the entire 2009 campaign after rupturing his ACL. Hunt could take Harley’s spot, although Tom Lonergan’s good form also makes him an option if the Cats need to go taller.

Rooke played mainly as a forward last year, but there is no obvious like player on the list. James Podsiadly has enjoyed a solid preseason and he could make a fairytale AFL debut 10 years after first being drafted by Essendon - the Cats opponent in the first game.

With the Cats having depth in midfield there are many ways the match committee could go if Corey is not available. First year midfielder Mitch Duncan has looked good and could debut, or the likes of Paul Chapman, Shannon Byrnes and Travis Varcoe could push into the midfield and open up another spot for a smaller forward.

That could bring the likes of Steve Motlop or Allen Christensen into calculations.

When Geelong opened the 2008 season following the 2007 success, five players came into the team that did not play in the grand final - Kane Tenace, Ryan Gamble, Trent West, Tom Hawkins and Mark Blake.

Change in inevitable in football, and for the players that come into the opening game of the Cats premiership defense the opportunity can not come quickly enough.