Geelong has received a timely boost with the return of a star duo, bolstering the Cats' side for Thursday night's blockbuster clash with Brisbane at GMHBA Stadium. 

Bailey Smith and Tom Stewart have both been named and will rejoin the starting line-up, with the pair set to add important experience and quality to the Geelong side. 

Stewart returns after missing the last two games before Geelong's mid-season bye, while Smith has also been named after missing the clash with Fremantle through illness. 

Jack Bowes and George Stevens come out of the team, with the pair both omitted for Thursday's clash. 

There will also be a number of milestones this week, with Sam De Koning and Ollie Henry both set to play their 100th AFL game, while Mark Blicavs will also tie Luke Breust for the most games by a player off the rookie list.  

Geelong and Brisbane will lock horns on Thursday night in what shapes as a pivotal match for both sides, kicking off the Round 17 action from 7.30pm AEST at GMHBA Stadium. 

Both teams will understand the importance of a win as they currently sit in fourth and fifth position on the ladder, locked in a logjam which has teams from the Cats in fourth down to the Bulldogs in eighth tied with a 9-6 record. 

It will remarkably mark the sixth clash between the two sides in the past 16 months, with the Cats looking to even the ledger at three wins apiece over that span. 

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster for Thursday's match, follow the link below to secure your seat. You can also get access to this game with a Flexi Membership! For just $44 you can get two General Admission tickets.

The Cats' clash with the Lions will be broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy and streamed through Kayo from 7.00pm, or tune into K Rock from 6.00pm to catch all the pre-game action.