GEELONG has made four changes to its Round 5 team to take on North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Sam De Koning will make his AFL debut for the Cats.

Taken with the 19th overall selection in the 2019 National Draft, De Koning is an athletic key position player capable of playing at both ends of the ground and in the ruck.

One of 10 children, De Koning’s brother Tom plays at Carlton, while Father Terry played 31 games for Footscray from 1980 and 1982.

He recently signed a contract extension until the end of 2023.

Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Rohan also return to the team after serving their three-game and two-game suspensions respectively.

Both players should be ready to make an immediate impact upon their return after playing starring roles in Geelong’s VFL practice match win against Collingwood last weekend.

The Cats have been further bolstered by the return of Brandan Parfitt who was a late withdrawal against Melbourne with a hip complaint.

Parfitt’s inclusion will be offset by the loss of defender turned tagger Mark O’Connor who will miss through injury.

Jordan Clark, Zach Guthrie, Quinton Narkle and last week’s unused medical substitute Max Holmes have been omitted.

Narkle, Guthrie, Clark and Josh Jenkins are in contention to be the medical sub which will be named an hour prior to the start of the game.

Sunday’s game will also see the return of fan favourites and recently retired Cats Gary Ablett Jnr and Harry Taylor who will do a lap of honour prior to the game.

VIEW MATCH DAY INFORMATION

Geelong’s VFL team will open its account against North Melbourne in a curtain raiser from 1pm with the gates at GMHBA Stadium to open from 12.45pm.

Round 5 Team

IN: Dangerfield, De Koning (Debut), Parfitt, Rohan 

OUT: Clark (omitted), O’Connor (injured), Z Guthrie (omitted), Narkle (omitted), Holmes (Omitted)