Draftee Lawson Humphries will make his AFL debut as Geelong made three changes for Saturday night’s Country Game against Essendon.
The Cats have also recalled key forward Shannon Neale after a three-goal effort in the VFL loss to Port Melbourne.
Mitch Knevitt will make just his second appearance of the season, having played less than a minute when a late inclusion as the substitute in the Round 2 win over Adelaide.
They replace injured forward duo Tom Hawkins and Ollie Henry and omitted Irishman Oisin Mullin, who was subbed out of the loss to Carlton after just three disposals.
Hawkins will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks with a foot issue. The nature of the injury that has forced Ollie Henry out for the second time in three matches hasn’t been disclosed.
Humphries, selected with pick 63 in the 2023 National Draft from WAFL club Swan Districts, the 182cm 21-year-old is averaging 22 disposals and five marks from 11 VFL games, playing primarily on a half-back flank.
Geelong will likely rely on Neale to share ruck duties with Mark Blicavs.
Essendon has welcomed back veteran ruck Todd Goldstein and former St Kilda forward Jade Gresham at the expense of Jye Menzie and Nate Caddy.
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GEELONG
INS: Lawson Humphries, Mitch Knevitt, Shannon Neale
OUTS: Tom Hawkins (foot)
| B: 38. Jack Henry | 16. Sam De Koning | 8. Jake Kolodjashnij |
| HB: 17. Lawson Humphries | 44. Tom Stewart | 39. Zach Guthrie |
| C: 2. Zach Tuohy | 9. Max Holmes | 28. Oliver Dempsey |
| HF: 45. Brad Close | 5. Jeremy Cameron | 32. Gryan Miers |
| F: 18. Tyson Stengle | 33. Shannon Neale | 23. Gary Rohan |
| R: 46. Mark Blicavs | 35. Patrick Dangerfield | 30. Tom Atkins |
| I/C: 12. Jack Bowes | 13. Jhye Clark | 22. Mitch Duncan |
| 10. Mitch Knevitt | 42. Mark O’Connor | |
| 14. Connor O’Sullivan | 3. Brandan Parfitt | 42. Mark O’Connor |
