GEELONG will be without important midfielder Sam Menegola and speedster Jordan Murdoch for Sunday's JLT Community Series clash against Essendon at Central Reserve in Colac.
They have been replaced by George Horlin-Smith and Jordan Cunico.
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It is understood Menegola pulled up sore after training on Friday and the Cats decided to take no chances with his fitness ahead of a big round one clash against Melbourne on March 24, while it is unclear why Murdoch is a late withdrawal.
Menegola was one of the Cats' key ball winners in their 56-point loss to Gold Coast in the club's first JLT pre-season clash, collecting 21 disposals through the midfield and through half-forward.
It is believed Horlin-Smith and Cunico will play limited game time in the main match, with the pair set to run around in the VFL fixture against Essendon's VFL team later in the afternoon.
Zac Smith, Daniel Menzel, Charlie Constable, Zach Guthrie, Jackson Thurlow, Mark O'Connor, Cunico and Horlin-Smith will start on the bench.
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The Bombers have not made any changes to their selected side.
Michael Hurley, James Stewart, Cale Hooker, Tom Bellchambers, David Myers and Ben McNiece are among the key inclusions for Essendon.
Darcy Parish, Josh Begley, David Myers, Jordan Houlahan, Ben Long, Matt Guelfi, Shaun McKernan and Conor McKenna will be the starting interchange for the Bombers.
Sunday, March 11
Geelong v Essendon at Central Reserve (Colac, Victoria), 1.05pm AEDT
GEELONG
1 Rhys Stanley, 2 Zach Tuohy, 3 Brandan Parfitt, 7 Harry Taylor, 8 Jake Kolodjashnij, 9 Zac Smith, 10 Daniel Menzel, 11 Tim Kelly, 14 Joel Selwood, 17 Esava Ratugolea, 18 Charlie Constable, 22 Mitch Duncan, 24 Jed Bews, 26 Tom Hawkins, 29 Cameron Guthrie, 32 Gryan Miers, 31 Jordan Cunico, 33 George Horlin-Smith,34 James Parsons, 35 Patrick Dangerfield, 39 Zach Guthrie, 40 Jackson Thurlow, 41 Jamaine Jones, 42 Mark O'Connor, 44 Tom Stewart, 46 Mark Blicavs
Emerg: 12 Wylie Buzza, 21 Jordan Murdoch, 28 Cory Gregson, 27 Sam Menegola
In: H.Taylor, B.Parfitt, J.Selwood, P.Dangerfield, M O’Connor
Out: W.Buzza, C.Gregson, L.Fogarty, J.Murdoch, S.Menegola
Notable absentees: G.Ablett, S.Selwood, L.Henderson, N.Cockatoo, C.Gregson, S.Menegola
ESSENDON
1 Andrew McGrath, 2 Tom Bellchambers, 3 Darcy Parish, 5 Devon Smith, 6 Joe Daniher, 7 Zach Merrett, 8 Martin Gleeson, 9 Brendon Goddard, 11 David Zaharakis, 15 Josh Green, 16 Joshua Begley, 17 James Stewart, 18 Michael Hurley, 21 Dyson Heppell, 23 David Myers, 24 Jordan Houlahan, 25 Jake Stringer, 26 Cale Hooker, 29 Patrick Ambrose, 34 Jake Long, 35 Matt Guelfi, 41 Ben McNiece, 42 Adam Saad, 43 Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, 44 Shaun McKernan, 45 Conor McKenna
Emerg: 37 Dylan Clarke, 12 Mark Baguley, 49 Matt Dea, 20 Jackson Merrett
In: M.Hurley, J.Stewart, C.Hooker, T.Bellchambers, D.Myers, B.McNiece
Out: M.Brown (injured), M.Hartley, M.Leuenberger, K.Langford, S.Draper
Notable absentees: O.Fantasia, T.Colyer, A.Francis, M.Leuenberger
