Thurlow, who was drafted at pick 16 in the 2012 draft, has been joined by another young Cat, Jordan Schroder, in the side.
Schroder played one game for the Cats in 2012 against the Giants at Simonds Stadium in Round 10. Schroder had 11 touches and two tackles in the game.
Thurlow’s form in the VFL has been impressive this season with an average of 15 possessions a game. Thurlow also played a majority of the NAB Cup for the Cats.
Making way for the young duo are Joel Corey and Jordan Murdoch.
Thurlow will become the Cats fourth debutant for the year behind Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy and Jared Rivers.
The Cats are no strangers to blooding debutants in big games. Rookies Jackson Sheringham and Josh Walker both made their debuts for the Cats in 2012 against Collingwood at the MCG in front of over 60,000 fans.
Cats side:
B: Mackie, Lonergan, Enright
HB: Guthrie, Taylor, T Hunt
C: Duncan, Bartel, Motlop
HF: Christensen, Johnson, Smedts
F: Stokes, Hawkins, Podsiadly
R: West, Selwood, Kelly
IC: Horlin-Smith, Thurlow, Schroder, Blicavs
EMG: J Hunt, Caddy, Walker
