AFL Round 1 2025: Geelong coach Chris Scott said Mitch Duncan and Rhys Stanley are ‘certain’ to play this season

Two premiership Cats were left out of Geelong’s round one side. But it won’t be the case every week. Plus, Chris Scott on Bailey Smith ahead of his first game as a Cat.

Geelong coach Chris Scott says ageing premiership players Mitch Duncan and Rhys Stanley are “certain” to play senior football this year despite being left out of the Cats’ season-opener against Fremantle.

Duncan, 33, and the 34-year-old Stanley were both overlooked and named as emergencies after the pair played in last year’s preliminary final against Brisbane, with Duncan starting the match as the substitute.

Boom recruit Bailey Smith will play his first official match for Geelong and Scott said the former Western Bulldog won’t be defined by his performance against the Dockers.

Bailey Smith will play his first home-and-away game as a Cat. Picture: Michael Klein

“This is a significant step, but in the context of hopefully a 10-15 year career with the Cats, we will look back and say, ‘How well we played this game probably wasn’t all that relevant to how it panned out’,” Scott said.

“He’s got a lot of faith in his ability, and loves the big stage, and he’s really looking forward to it.”

Duncan, four game shy of his 300-game milestone, had 22 AFL appearances last year but will kick off the 2025 home-and-away season in a VFL practice match on Saturday morning.

He will play a half of gametime with delisted free agent Jack Martin also to be on managed minutes as the Cats build his body for a sustained block of senior football, with Stanley to be rested.

Scott said he has been in constant dialogue with Duncan, Stanley and other veterans about their place in the side, but insisted the experienced pair will be called on throughout the season.

“It wasn’t a case of radio silence and then hit with a sledgehammer before round one,” Scott said.

“Those two guys in particular, we think are going to be a really important piece of our squad over the course of the year. But they won’t play every game. This sort of falls into that category a bit.”

“So we’re certain they’ll play AFL footy this year, but we’re going to be selective with it. And maybe it’s a question better directed at them, but I’m confident that we’re all on the same page with our plan – even if we don’t explain in great detail publicly.

Talented tall Sam De Koning and veteran Mark Blicavs will come up against Dockers ruck duo Liam Reidy and Jackson on Saturday afternoon.

Scott is excited by De Koning’s potential as a ruckman but said he is unlikely to play in the role every week, with Stanley set to be called on during the season.

Sam De Koning has been moulded into a ruckman. Picture: Michael Klein

“We’re really optimistic about the sort of player that De Koning could be up the ground, and even sort of the decision with Stanley. He’s in really good shape, giving himself every chance, had a really good preseason,” Scott said.

“But our thinking at the moment is not necessarily that we’re just going to choose one ruckman and throw them against the guns all game every week. We’re going to be a little bit more thoughtful about it – and we can do that because we think we have options now.

“Would we prefer the Sam De Koning version in the ruck that I think he is going to be in three years time? Probably, I’m certain he’ll get better, but I’m also certain he’s going to end up a pretty flexible player.”

Geelong has taken a conservative approach with Jake Kolodjashnij, who will be sidelined for three weeks with a hip injury, but Scott said the blow will not impact the ruck role of De Koning.

One-game defender Connor O’Sullivan, standing 198 centimetres, will help the Cats combat Fremantle key forward trio of Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson.

“It’s not necessarily a like for like, but Connor Sullivan comes in and plays, and it might have been a bit harder for us to do that if Jake was in the team. So we’re really excited about Connor.

He’s only been on our list for 18 months or so, but it can be hard to get those key position guys into the team. So this is a bit of a loss with Kolodjashnij, but a real positive that O’Sullivan is going to play round one this year.”

Injury-riddled ruckman Toby Conway took part in Geelong’s light training on Friday in a promising step in his recovery from a back injury.

Scott said he and uncapped ruckman Mitch Edwards, 19, are a similar case.

“He’s making really good progress, but I feel like I’m a broken record with Toby – and put Mitch Edwards in that category as well,” Scott said.

“We’re really optimistic about both of them, but it is going to be a cautious sort of build with them.”

• Secure your ticket as the Cats kick of their 2025 campaign when they host the Dockers at GMHBA Stadium at 1.20pm on Saturday. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

• At a family friendly time slot and nice weather expected, there will be plenty of fun and festivities before the clash out on St Mary’s Oval, with food trucks, the AFL Playground, face-painting, giveaways and more from 11.00am.

Originally published as AFL Round 1 2025: Geelong coach Chris Scott said Mitch Duncan and Rhys Stanley are ‘certain’ to play this season