GEELONG has confirmed it will be without star recruit Bailey Smith for Saturday night's match against St Kilda.
Smith, 24, was best-on-ground in the Cats' thumping victory over Fremantle last week, but has pulled up with a minor calf injury after his return game from a torn ACL.
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He has been replaced in the 23 by Ted Clohesy, who will be the starting substitute for the fourth time in his four-game career.
St Kilda is unchanged, with Isaac Keeler set to make his debut and start on the field.
The Saints have selected Hugo Garcia as sub.
St Kilda has largely played down expectations heading into this season but failed to meet even the more pessimistic of hopes with an insipid first-up display against Adelaide.
Coach Ross Lyon is a master of getting his players to lift when their backs are to the wall and the Saints will surely respond in some way even if they are up against a purring Cats outfit that have hit the ground running.
St Kilda v Geelong at Marvel Stadium, 7.35pm AEDT
LATE CHANGES
St Kilda: Nil
Geelong: Bailey Smith (calf) replaced in selected side by Ted Clohesy
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Hugo Garcia
Geelong: Ted Clohesy
Geelong made an early statement that it will again be among the top-four contenders as it dismantled a disappointing Fremantle in the first of an ominous 10 games at its home fortress this year.
But the Cats have a less impressive record at Marvel Stadium where they have lost their past three matches against the Saints including in their two most recent visits to the venue.
St Kilda has dropped Zaine Cordy, Arie Schoenmaker, Harry Boyd and Angus Hastie and called up debutant Keeler, Liam Stocker, Mitch Owens and Lance Collard.
Port Adelaide v Richmond at Adelaide Oval, 3.45pm ACDT
NO LATE CHANGES
SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Christian Moraes
Richmond: Kaleb Smith
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Essendon v Adelaide at the MCG, 1.20pm AEDT
NO LATE CHANGES
SUBSTITUTES
Essendon: Jye Menzie
Adelaide: Sid Draper
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