GEELONG has named their Round 1 side that will play Adelaide on Saturday afternoon at 4.35pm AEDT.

The Cats will unleash star recruits Shaun Higgins and Isaac Smith in the season opener, with both players named to start on ground.

Rhys Stanley and Luke Dahlhaus return to the side after missing Geelong's AAMI Community Series win against Essendon earlier this month.

Jeremy Cameron will miss the Round 1 clash after being ruled out with a hamstring strain earlier in the day.

Geelong has made a total of six changes to the side that was defeated in last year's Grand Final.

Tom Atkins' impressive transformation from forward to small defender has seen him secure a place in the back six, while Josh Jenkins, Jordan Clark and Zach Guthrie join Higgins and Smith as the new faces in the Round 1 team.

Saturday's game at Adelaide Oval will be televised on Fox Footy and Kayo.

The 23rd man will be named an hour prior to the start of the game.

13:57

Round 1 AFL Team

Backs Lachie Henderson Mark Blicavs Jed Bews
Half Backs Tom Atkins Tom Stewart Jake Kolodjashnij
Centreline Isaac Smith Joel Selwood Sam Menegola
Half Forwards Shaun Higgins Gary Rohan Cameron Guthrie
Forwards Gryan Miers Tom Hawkins Luke Dahlhaus
Followers Rhys Stanley Brandan Parfitt Patrick Dangerfield
Interchange Mark O'Connor Zach Guthrie Jordan Clark
  Josh Jenkins    
       
Emergencies Charlie Constable Francis Evans Jack Henry
  Quinton Narkle