COOPER Stephens will make his AFL debut when the Cats clash with the Giants in Round 8 at Manuka Oval on Saturday.

Stephens was selected with pick 16 in the 2019 draft from the Geelong Falcons.

The 21-year-old has been a standout for the Bendigo Bank Cats in the VFL this season, most recently playing a starring role with 24 disposals and six clearances in Geelong's win against Williamstown last weekend.

The Colac product was in the sauna when he received a missed call from coach Chris Scott before calling back and receiving the good news.

"When I found the news out it was a mixture of excitement and nerves but that has settled down now and it is all starting to sink in, so it's very exciting at the moment," Stephens told geelongcats.com.au.

Stephens' parents were close to tears when he told them he was playing this week and he's excited for what's to come after overcoming many setbacks in his first three years at the Club.

"I think they were both very excited and very proud. It has been a long time coming, lots of ups and downs and they've rode the downs more than I have so it meant a lot to them.

"They are super proud and I am really happy I get to share this moment with them." 

Patrick Dangerfield returns to the senior lineup for the first time since Round 5 and it's a timely inclusion with skipper Joel Selwood, Shaun Higgins and Max Holmes to miss through injury.

"What we've tried to explain a little bit over the last week or two is that we're pursuing a policy, particularly with our more experienced players that we get them in a position through their training that they're ready to come in and perform at their best," senior coach Chris Scott said at Wednesday's press conference.

"Pat, over a period of weeks with a couple of quite serious corks, just wasn't able to train, [and] was playing under duress. It made it clearer for us that the right decision for him and for the team longer term was to get that right and come back when he's ready to play really well which we think is this week." 

Quinton Narkle and Francis Evans round out the inclusions for the Cats and will play their third and second AFL games in 2022 respectively.

Luke Dahlhaus (medi-sub) and Oliver Dempsey have been omitted.

Sitting 4-3 after last week's narrow three-point loss to Fremantle, the Cats will be eager to return to winning ways in Saturday's 4.35pm clash in Canberra.

Geelong will name its medical substitute an hour prior to the first bounce.

Milestone Alert

Chris Scott has coached 183 wins from 267 games, requiring one more win to tie Reg Hickey's Club record of 184 wins (304 games).

Patrick Dangerfield requires two goals to reach 150 goals for each of his two clubs (163 goals for Adelaide Crows, 148 goals for Geelong).

Cooper Stephens will make his AFL debut after being taken with pick 16 in the 2019 NAB AFL draft. Recruited from the Geelong Falcons. 

Round 8 Team

INS: Patrick Dangerfield, Quinton Narkle, Francis Evans, Cooper Stephens

OUTS: Joel Selwood (Injured), Shaun Higgins (Injured), Max Holmes (Injured), Luke Dahlhaus (Medi-Sub), Oliver Dempsey (Omitted)

NEW: Cooper Stephens (Debut)