GEELONG has been forced into making a late change to its emergencies ahead of tonight's preliminary final with Melbourne at Optus Stadium.

Quinton Narkle replaces Sam Simpson (concussion). Narkle is now in contention to be named Geelong's medical substitute alongside fellow emergencies Luke Dahlhaus, Darcy Fort and Shaun Higgins.

The Cats initially named its team on Thursday night with Zach Guthrie getting the nod to replace Brandan Parfitt who's been ruled out of finals with a hamstring injury.

Tonight's game will be televised on Channel Seven with first bounce at 7.50pm AEST.

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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 Quinton Narkle Darcy Fort
  Shaun Higgins