GEELONG has named its Round 1 VFL team that will play North Melbourne in a curtain raiser at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday at 1pm.

The Cats have named a strong line-up comprising of 14 AFL-listed players including Esava Ratugolea who has been included after successfully getting through a half of football in Geelong's VFL practice match last weekend.

Ratugolea has been named to start at centre half forward and will be eager to start building his match fitness after a leg injury delayed his start to the season.

The match will also provide Geelong fans with their first opportunity to get a glimpse of new draftees Shannon Neale and Nick Stevens in action.

Aaron Black will skipper the team with new recruits and former Cats Jackson Thurlow and Darcy Lang also named in Geelong's 26-man squad.

Round 1 VFL Team 

Backs Shannon Neale Aaron Black Nick Stevens
Half Backs Jackson Thurlow Zach Guthrie Stefan Okunbor
Centreline Max Holmes Charlie Constable Jordan Clark
Half Forwards Cameron Taheny Esava Ratugolea Jackson McLachlan
Forwards Oscar Brownless Josh Jenkins Ben Jarvis
Followers Darcy Fort Quinton Narkle Darcy Lang
Interchange Jye Chalcraft Dan Capiron Liam Fiore
  Callum Mitchell Luke Smith Oliver Tate
  Jordan Johnston Mitch Burgess