Saturday, April 24
Geelong Advertiser

GEELONG last night left Matthew McCarthy, Brent Moloney and David Johnson out of the final team to play Fremantle tomorrow.

The three players had been included in the 25-man squad on Thursday night for the Cats' Anzac Day clash at Subiaco.

But McCarthy, Moloney and Johnson will make the trip today to Perth as emergencies.

Geelong's selectors have made only two changes to the team that crushed Richmond last week.

Johnson goes out to make way for defender Jarad Rooke and young gun Gary Ablett plays his first senior game this year to replace on-baller James Kelly who is expected to miss one match with a hip injury.

Fremantle, fresh from its 34-point win over Collingwood at Telstra Dome, has made only one change - tall forward Des Headland in for injured Troy Longmuir.

Brent Moloney's two-match suspension on a striking charge against Carlton has proven costly.

With Geelong's VFL team having a bye this weekend, Moloney will have at least three weeks without a match.

With Darren Milburn named on the half-back flank, Rooke will take up a spot on the interchange bench.

Ablett's return from a groin injury has been eagerly awaited by Cats fans.

He is likely to take a position beside Cameron Ling, Joel Corey and Paul Chapman in the Cats on-ball and forward rotations.

Geelong plays well at Subiaco and goes into the game with a 10-4 win-loss ratio against the Dockers.

The Cats went down to Fremantle by 16 points at Subiaco the last time they met in Round 12 last year.