Geelong has selected their team for Friday night's VFL season opener, as they prepare to take on Essendon at GMHBA Stadium.
Three of the Cats' 2025 draftees will pull on the blue and white Hoops on Friday night with Hunter Holmes, Jesse Mellor and Nick Driscoll all selected for the clash with the Bombers.
There will also be plenty of experience in Geelong's team, with premiership players Rhys Stanley and Jake Kolodjashnij both set to play their first official game in 2026.
Daniel Capiron (Captain) and Marcus Herbert (Vice-Captain) will lead Geelong's VFL side once again in the 2026 Campaign.
The Cats and Bombers will do battle from 7.05pm AEDT at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night, set to be an early season test for both teams.
Geelong fans are encouraged to attend the game with the Cats' AFL team enjoying a bye this week, while the match can also be streamed live and free on AFL platforms via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
Follow the link here to take a look at Geelong's VFL fixture for the 2026 season, with a number of exciting games ahead on the schedule.
2026 VFL Round 1
Geelong Cats v Essendon
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
7.05pm AEST, Friday March 20
|
Back |
M. Herbert (62) | J. Kolodjashnij (8) | N. Driscoll (27) |
|
Half Back |
C. Burke (41) | D. Capiron (50) | H. Holmes (22) |
|
Centre |
J. Bowes (12) | L. Hofmann (23) | O. Henry (36) |
|
Half Forward |
W. White (52) | J. Polkinghorne (2) | O. Wiltshire (21) |
|
Full Forward |
J. Pike (37) | M. Knevitt (10) | J. Mellor (25) |
| Ruck | R. Stanley (1) | G. Stevens (15) | J. Bews (24) |
| Interchange | J. Hart (48) | M. Williams (54) | J. Rantall (55) |
| K. Annand (59) | P. Kelly (74) | ||
| 23rd player | M. Williams (54) | ||
| Emergencies | J. Henderson (47) | R. Gunsser (49) | J. Costello (51) |
| D. Edmends (53) | J. Ballantyne (57) | K. George (67) | |
| T. Bond (73) | C. Green (84) |
