It is that one time every four years when even the most casual sports fans become avid soccer followers, the country gets painted green and gold as the Socceroos take on the world's best at the FIFA World Cup. 

Kardinia Park was not exempt to the World Cup fever during the week, with players and staff putting their heads together to debate that if the Cats qualified for the World Cup, who would feature in the starting XI?

While it might be a different football code, there was confidence around the group that certain players would adapt to the round ball and put on a clinic on the biggest stage, but not before some serious discussions and alterations to the line-up. 

After a heated debate, the playing group settled on a 4-1-3-2 formation that had a significant Irish flavour, with a healthy combination of height and speed amongst the Cats 11. 

In a shocking twist however, there was no room for Gryan Miers despite his constant comparisons to Lionel Messi, while Geelong's best AFL goal kicker and the reigning Coleman Medallist, Jeremy Cameron was squeezed out of the striker position. 

Take a look through the final 11 below, in the build up to Australia's World Cup opener on Sunday afternoon. 

Strikers: Mark O'Connor & Jack Henry

Now this was a slightly surprising decision because when it comes to Geelong's main scorers with an AFL football, Mark O'Connor and Jack Henry are probably not the first names that come to mind. 

But their teammates back them in and with O'Connor's experience with the Gaelic Football, this would have the potential to be a seriously potent pairing in attack. 

Henry's size and aerial ability make him a strong marking presence in the AFL, but that would likely translate to the box as a threat with headers around the net and his frame would make it a difficult matchup for opposition defenders. 

O'Connor also has plenty of speed and size, but he has shown that he can be tactically smart and is excellent at reading opponents, which would make him dangerous around goal. 

The combination provides a pressing forward and a traditional target, both with the ability to wreak havoc in attack for the Geelong starting XI. 

Right Midfielder: Shaun Mannagh

Needing someone in the line-up that can provide some width and attack from the right side, Shaun Mannagh was nearly a unanimous choice from the playing group. 

With a mix of work rate, pressure and creative playmaking, Mannagh would be a perfect fit capable of creating chances for his teammates. 

Not to mention his incredible goal sense, as shown with his remarkable volley against Brisbane earlier in the year, Mannagh would certainly be able to impact both ends of the field and suits this role nicely. 

Central Attacking Midfielder: Oisin Mullin 

Geelong's Irish trio started in the team and were never removed throughout the day, perhaps their experience with the round Gaelic football having an influence, but Oisin Mullin was certainly regarded as one of the superstar players in this line-up by his Cats teammates. 

In this position, Mullin would be the creative playmaker behind the strikers, a box-to-box attacking midfielder who can keep defenders accountable and set-up chances for O'Connor and Henry up front. 

Why does the Irishman suit this role? Well he possesses an incredible blend of speed and athleticism, but still has a relatively big frame which makes him aggressive and damaging in traffic. 

Mullin can break lines with his speed and power, which would make him a true threat in an attacking role. 

Left Midfielder: Oli Wiltshire

Lined up on the opposite side to Mannagh, the players opted for more speed and skill with the addition of Oli Wiltshire to the starting line-up. 

A creative ball-user skilful with the AFL football, the Cats believed that would be easily transferrable and would make Wiltshire the perfect fit through the midfield along with Mullin and Mannagh. 

Able to create width and more than capable as a linking player, Wiltshire would be damaging on the left side for the Cats.

Defensive Midfielder: Cillian Burke

The final Irishman in the trio to earn a selection in Geelong's starting 11 is emerging talent, Cillian Burke, who has shown an abundance of talent at VFL level and was previously a highly-touted Gaelic footballer. 

At VFL level, Burke has proven to be ultra-tough and disciplined and is able to impose his big frame in contests, standing even taller than his Irish counterparts at 192cm. 

He has shown that he can be defensively minded, which is important for this role, but then he is able to quickly switch his mindset and launch into attack. 

A strong tackler, competitor and a selfless teammate, Burke would be a holding midfielder capable of breaking up attacks, but then able to spark attacks for the damaging trio through the middle of the ground. 

Right Back: Max Holmes

On the right side of the defensive line, the Cats opted for more speed and landed on one of their best players with the oval-shaped ball, with Max Holmes selected to line-up at Right Back. 

The two-time Carji Greeves Medallist has a mix of outstanding pace and endurance, which makes him a perfect candidate for this role. 

Holmes would be able to defend the right side and then drive the ball forward, able to provide overlap run like he does for the Cats each and every week. 

A strong decision maker with the ball, Holmes would be a dynamic right back that can provide a nice mix of offence and defence. 

Left Back: Lawson Humphries 

On the left side, the Cats were in a similar mindset and selected Lawson Humphries, who again provides a brilliant combination of attack and defence that the team would be able to utilise. 

Since coming into the Geelong team, he has proven to be one of the best ball users at the club and makes exquisite decisions, helping to stifle opposition teams and then setting the Cats up through the middle of the ground. 

Humphries would be reliable at locking down the left side, then watch him use his run and carry to provide attacking support, a true dual threat and an easy selection for the players. 

Centre Backs: Connor O'Sullivan & Tom Stewart

Geelong needed reliability at Centre Back and they went for the two players that do it time and time again in the AFL, with Connor O'Sullivan and Tom Stewart selected on as the Cats' central defenders. 

O'Sullivan is tall, athletic and strong in one-on-one contests, while also possessing great closing speed and the ability to read the game well in order to shutdown opposition attacks. 

Joining him in defence is Stewart, arguably one of the easiest fits in this team with his ability to read the game and intercept, while also able to organise his teammates around him and stay composed under pressure. 

The pair would provide plenty of leadership and direction from the Centre Back position, a reliable duo that can nullify the opposition's biggest threats. 

Goalkeeper: Mark Blicavs

Who else would you turn to on the last line of defence than the man who can do it all?

Another near unanimous decision, the Cats went for Mark Blicavs as their goalkeeper, expecting his elite endurance and athleticism to help him cover ground and react quickly when needed. 

Also able to stay calm under pressure, Blicavs rarely panics in defensive situations and his height would make him dominant against crosses and set pieces.