Liam Henry and Jhye Clark during the round one match between Geelong and St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium on March 16, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

GEELONG is looking to bounce back after becoming the third reigning premier in seven years to miss the finals the next year. 

Key retirements, a wretched run with injury and moves to replenish the midfield made 2023 tough for the Cats, but there is hope of an immediate response under master coach Chris Scott. An early statement against St Kilda would be one way to quieten, if not silence, the doubters.  

CATS v SAINTS Follow it LIVE

Coach Ross Lyon made an immediate impact as St Kilda returned to finals in his first season back in charge but questions remain over whether his side has the top-end talent to challenge deeper. 

The Saints have set themselves up to continue their rapid rise with a best 23 set to be bolstered by clever recruitment with a focus on speed.

Draftee Lance Collard will debut for St Kilda as the sub, while mature-age VFL draftee Shaun Mannagh will do likewise for the Cats.

03:05

Match Previews R1: Geelong v St Kilda

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Kane Cornes preview the game between the Cats and Saints at GMHBA Stadium

Geelong v St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium, 7.30pm AEDT

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SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Shaun Mannagh
St Kilda: Lance Collard

CATS v SAINTS Follow it LIVE

Gold Coast burst out of the blocks with a blazing first half against Richmond but missed an opportunity to make an early statement as it then all but cruised to the line. 

A clash with a likely top-eight contender will give us a better read on the Suns outfit that will be buoyed by the first-up performance of their ominous midfield group.

SUNS v CROWS Follow it LIVE

Much is expected of Adelaide after its steady improvement over recent years that still left it soul-crushingly short of a first finals berth since 2017. 

Gold Coast is unchanged from the team that beat Richmond, while the Crows have given a club debut to former Sun Chris Burgess and named Lachie Gollant to a forward line missing injured pair Taylor Walker and Riley Thilthorpe.

02:18

Match Previews R1: Gold Coast v Adelaide

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Kane Cornes preview the game between the Suns and Crows at People First Stadium

Gold Coast v Adelaide at People First Stadium, 7.10pm AEST

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SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Darcy Macpherson
Adelaide: Jake Soligo

SUNS v CROWS Follow it LIVE

Greater Western Sydney v North Melbourne at Engie Stadium, 4.35pm AEDT

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SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Nick Haynes
North Melbourne: Liam Shiels

GIANTS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Essendon v Hawthorn at the MCG, 1.45pm AEDT

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SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Elijah Tsatas
Hawthorn: Finn Maginness

BOMBERS v HAWKS Full match coverage and stats