Ling suffered an ankle injury against the Western Bulldogs last Sunday that could force him out of the start of the home and away season.
Otherwise, the Cats have stayed true to the side that carved up the Bulldogs last Sunday, although one possible inclusion is forward Aaron Lord.
The match – which starts at 8.40pm (Melbourne time) on Saturday night – will not be shown on free-to-air television but Cats fans will be able to watch the match live on Fox Footy at the Club Cats bistro at Skilled Stadium.
The Cats leave for Cairns on Friday morning.
The Lions are resting Alastair Lynch because of his history of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and skipper Michael Voss because of general soreness. Clark Keating (foot), Brad Scott (toe) and Blake Caracella (toe) will also be sidelined.
Premiership players who have been included are Craig McRae (illness), Darryl White (ankle) and Martin Pike (calf). The Lions are also set to unveil highly-regarded Gold Coast youngster, Daniel Merrett.
Geelong: Steven King, Tom Harley, David Spriggs, Ben Graham, James Kelly, Joel Corey, Will Slade, Peter Riccardi, Charlie Gardiner, Kent Kingsley, Mitchell White, Steven Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Aaron Lord, Brent Grgic, Matthew McCarthy, Brenton Sanderson, David Johnson, Gary Ablett, Matthew Scarlett, Jarad Rooke, James Rahilly, Paul Chapman, Peter Street, Darren Milburn, David Wojcinski, Josh Hunt, Corey Enright.
Brisbane Lions: Chris Johnson, Craig McRae, Luke Power, Jason Gram, Ashley McGrath, Marcus Ashcroft, Jason Akermanis, Martin Pike, Richard Hadley, Mal Michael, Jared Brennan, Anthony Corrie, Jamie Charman, Simon Black, Daniel Merrett, Justin Leppitsch, Jarrad Wright, Dylan McLaren, Joel McDonald, Troy Selwood, Robbie Copeland, Shaun Hart, Darryl White, Aaron Shattock, Shane Morrison, Daniel Bradshaw, Daniel Pratt, Nick Raines.
