GEELONG has been forced into make a late change ahead of its Round 23 encounter with Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.

Esava Ratugolea (injured) will come out of the emergencies and be replaced by Darcy Fort.

Fort will be a contender to be the medical substitute alongside fellow emergencies Quinton Narkle, Zach Guthrie and Shaun Higgins.

Geelong named its initial 22-man team on Thursday evening with key trio Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers and Tom Atkins returning to the senior side.

The Cats Round 23 clash will be a special occasion for Mark Blicavs who will play his 200th game.

The match will be televised on Fox Footy with the first bounce at 7.25pm.

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UPDATED: Round 23 Team

In: Tom Atkins, Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers

Out: Shaun Higgins (managed), Esava Ratugolea (omitted), Zach Guthrie (omitted), Quinton Narkle (medical sub)

Backs Jack Henry Lachie Henderson Jake Kolodjashnij
Half Backs Mark O'Connor Mark Blicavs Jed Bews
Centreline Sam Menegola Cameron Guthrie Isaac Smith
Half Forwards Brandan Parfitt Jeremy Cameron Gary Rohan
Forwards Brad Close Tom Hawkins Gryan Miers
Followers Rhys Stanley Joel Selwood Patrick Dangerfield
Interchange Tom Atkins Sam Simpson Max Holmes
  Luke Dahlhaus    
Emergencies Quinton Narkle Shaun Higgins Darcy Fort
  Zach Guthrie