The Bankers’ midfield is set to receive a timely boost, with Brandon Parfitt and Cooper Stephens returning from various injuries.

The midfield duo is also joined by young ruckman Toby Conway, whose 21.2 hit outs per game this season is sure to lift the Cats contested ball work on his return to the team following clearing concussion protocols.

Lachlan Waddell also makes his return to the Smithy’s VFL, lining up for his eighth game of the season, his first since the Round 14 clash with the Tigers.

Sam Menegola has also been named, but remains unlikely to play following some knee concerns.

"He's just got a little bit of a sore knee and he made a recovery yesterday to the point where we thought he was some chance, so when that happens we put them in the squad,” Senior Coach Chris Scott told media on Friday.

Parfitt will be playing with a point to prove, looking to force his way back into a dominant senior setup, following some unfortunate injury luck over the course of the last seven weeks.

The Bendigo Bank Cats are gearing up for a late-season run at the finals series, needing to win all of their remaining games, with other results needing to fall into place favourably.

The Bankers currently find themselves three games outside of the top eight, despite some strong form of late, having gone down to the wire against Casey and Carlton.

Jonathon Ceglar is an out, following a call-up to the senior side.

Jack Evans, Mitchell Chafer and Daniel Weigl are all outs this week, while Ben Lloyd will miss the game due to Health and Safety protocols.

It will be Geelong’s first game at Mars Stadium in 5 years, having not made the journey since their last game against the North Ballarat Roosters, per Brendan Rhodes.

VFL Round 16 Team

Ins: B. Parfitt, T. Conway, C. Stephens, S. Menegola

Outs: J. Ceglar, J.Evans, M. Chafer, B. Lloyd (H&S Protocols), D. Weigl

Team: