Tom Harley will take a central role at round one of the season against Essendon, carrying the match ball to the centre circle before the game.

In an initiative to begin for the 2010 AFL premiership season, a club legend will accompany the umpires before each match this weekend in round one, carrying the first footy of the season.

Harley, who will be in his new role as a channel 7 expert commentator, will do the honours for the Cats.

He will then join Bruce McAvaney, Dennis Cometti and Leigh Matthews as they call Geelong’s first game of the season.

The last time Harley was at the MCG was the final Saturday in September, when he led the Cats to the premiership in his final AFL game.

Harley will walk onto the arena 13 minutes before the match with the match ball and then be introduced to the crowd.