Geelong will field one of its most inexperienced sides for years against Carlton at Optus Oval on Saturday with Cats’ coach Mark Thompson calling on his younger players to take on more responsibility in the absence of so many senior players.

Three of the Cats’ most experienced players, former skipper Ben Graham (chest), Brenton Sanderson (calf) and Darren Milburn (knee) will miss the match with skipper Steven King (achilles), David Loats (knee) and Steve Johnson (ankle) already sidelined.

And Gary Ablett is also expected to miss another week with his on-going battle with osteitis pubis.

In their place the Cats could include two debutants in Kane Tenace, who was so impressive in the Wizard Cup, and their 2002 top draft pick Andrew Mackie.

Thompson said with such an inexperienced side at his disposal it was up to his large crop of fourth and fifth year players to lift this weekend.

“It’s an enormous challenge and we spoke about it after (the St Kilda) game, how it is important for people who have being here for four or five years to lead and take responsibility and influence others,” he saidon Wednesday.

While Carlton are coming off two successive bottom four finishes and like the Cats copped a first round hiding, Thompson made no secret of what a tough task his side faces this week.

“It’s very difficult for any team to lose so many players,” he said.

“We’ve got seven of our best 22 out this week and it’s only round two.”

“You take five or six players out of even Brisbane’s team and it’s hard to win games so it will take a special effort this week.”