GEELONG remains hopeful of regaining several players for its clash against the Brisbane Lions after three players made their debut in round 15.

Cats skipper Joel Selwood is likely to return after missing the draw against Greater Western Sydney with concussion while a raft of teammates including George Horlin-Smith (ankle), Scott Selwood (hamstring) and Jackson Thurlow (calf) are expected to face tests. 

Those three Cats are understood to have remained in Geelong while youngsters Brandan Parfitt, who returned on Saturday via the VFL, and Nakia Cockatoo joined the squad on the Gold Coast although no decision is yet made on whether they will play.

Daniel Menzel was also a late withdrawal from the game against the Giants after he knocked his knee in the warm-up but he is expected to be available while Jordan Cunico is also in line for selection after an ankle injury forced him out for two weeks.

Several experienced Cats including Tom Lonergan, who is due to play his 200th game, and Patrick Dangerfield, who has a baby due this week, are also understood to have returned to Geelong but are expected to play against the Lions. 

The Cats have now joined Carlton in using 36 players this year – the most in the League – and selected eight players to make their debut this year, the most of any team. 

Their average age of Saturday night's team was 25 years and 299 days, their youngest team since round six, 2016.

They sit third on the ladder after the draw and will hope to defeat the Lions who are looking to win two games in a row for the first time since round six and seven, 2015.