Cats veteran ruled out of Roos clash. LIVE from 1pm AEST

14 Apr 2024

AFL

Follow all the action from Sunday's round five games

Jeremy Cameron is tackled by Zac Fisher during the match between Geelong and North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium in round five, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

GEELONG has swung a massive late change ahead of its match against North Melbourne, with key forward Tom Hawkins withdrawing from the Sunday afternoon clash.

Young forward Shannon Neale comes into the Cats side for his first game for the season, replacing the 35-year-old who has been managed for the contest at GMHBA Stadium.

Jhye Clarke will be the Cats' sub, while Charlie Lazzaro will start as the Kangaroos' sub.

Geelong (4-0) is coming off a narrow four-point win over the Western Bulldogs, while the Kangaroos were outclassed by beaten Grand finalist Brisbane during Gather Round.

CATS v KANGAROOS Follow it LIVE

While North Melbourne remains winless from four starts, it has endured one of the tougher fixtures to start the season with three matches against last year's preliminary finalists and now another challenge against the Cats.

While the Kangaroos might get a better idea of where they stand in the coming month, they first need to limit the damage against an in-form Cats side.

Geelong has beaten North in their past 11 encounters, with its dominance dating back to 2015.

The Roos have named Tyler Sellars and Bigoa Nyuon for their AFL and club debuts respectively, with Liam Shiels, Kallan Dawson and Cam Zurhaar injured and Jaidyn Stephenson omitted.

The Cats will also field a debutant in pick No.11 Connor O'Sullivan who comes in for Jake Kolodjashnij (managed).

Geelong v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, 1pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Tom Hawkins, replaced in the selected side by Shannon Neale
North Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Jhye Clark
North Melbourne: Charlie Lazzaro

West Coast and Richmond round out a big round five when they play at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite slumping to its first 0-4 start since 1989, West Coast will at least be bolstered by an improved showing against Sydney last week that helped it win its first quarter of the season.

EAGLES v TIGERS Follow it LIVE

Richmond (1-4) was also more than competitive against a finals hopeful but was left to rue a narrow defeat to St Kilda.

The Tigers missed the opportunity to claim their second win of the season and couldn't put the Saints away despite restricting them to one goal in the first half. They will be out to make the most of their chances against the under-fire Eagles with a tough run to follow.

The Tigers will be without Tim Taranto who injured his wrist at training on Friday, with the midfielder joining Jack Ross on the injury list, while Liam Baker is back after serving a one-week suspension. Hugo Ralphsmith has also been named for his first game of the year.

The winless Eagles have made just one change, with Tyler Brockman coming in for last week's debutant Loch Rawnlinson.