GEELONG has named its team to play Melbourne in the first preliminary final at Optus Stadium on Friday night where the winner will earn itself a place in the 2021 AFL Grand Final.

Zach Guthrie returns to the starting 22 after impressing in last week's semi final victory against the Giants after coming on as the medical substitute.

Guthrie will play his 13th AFL game of the season in place of Brandan Parfitt who's been ruled out of finals with a hamstring strain.

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The preliminary final against the Demons will be Geelong's 11th preliminary final in its past 15 seasons.

Friday's huge clash will be televised on Channel Seven from 7.50pm AEST.

Both sides will name their medical substitutes an hour prior to the first bounce.

Preliminary Final Team

In: Zach Guthrie

Out: Brandan Parfitt (Injured)

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