DURING the past 18 months, Cats youngster Jake Kolodjashnij has been struck by occasional bouts of envy as his twin brother, Kade, has racked up 29 AFL games with Gold Coast.

While Kade has been showered with accolades, including a nomination for last year's NAB Rising Star award, Jake has been patiently developing as a tall defender in Geelong's VFL team.

But on Sunday, when the Cats take on Melbourne at Simonds Stadium, Jake will be the main man in the family when he makes his AFL debut.

"This is a really great side, Geelong, and it's been a very tough backline to break into," Kolodjashnij told geelongcats.com.au after being named on the half-back flank in the team to play the Demons.

"But now that I'm finally in there, hopefully I can catch up to Kade's games tally one day."

Kolodjashnij has been one of the Cats' most consistent performers in the VFL this season.

But the 19-year-old Tasmanian didn't play at any level last weekend after travelling to Adelaide as an emergency for the AFL side's clash with Port Adelaide.

"In the end, I got rested last week, and Chris Scott actually told me I was a pretty good chance to play in the Melbourne game, so I was on edge a bit," he said.

"I wasn't too sure until I found out on the Thursday. Now that I know I'm finally playing I'm feeling great. I'm pretty excited, actually.

"It's a pretty special week for the club, with Boris's 300th, so to be a part of that in my debut, in front of a home crowd, is going to be great."

Kolodjashnij, who was selected by Geelong with pick 41 in the 2013 national draft, is conscious of the need to control his emotions when he runs out for Sunday's game.

"I'm sure I'll be pretty nervous," he said. "I'm feeling pretty good now, but once I get to the ground and get around the boys the nerves will build up a bit.

"But once I get out there I reckon I'll be fine."

Kolodjashnij has played 23 VFL games in the past season and a half, and he has been on a steady path of improvement.

"I've been developing my craft in the VFL, and I've spent a lot of time working on bits and pieces of my game, which has helped me get towards my goal of debuting," he said.

"So I think that slowly building my game up in the VFL has been good."

Kolodjashnij's parents and his twin brother are expected to be in the stands at Simonds Stadium on Sunday, as will a number of other family members and friends.

"They're really excited," he said. "It's only a 45-minute flight to come over from Tassie, so it's not too far.

"I'll be getting as many family and friends as I can over here for the game."