Coach Chris Scott says Geelong will play a host of youngsters including Cameron Guthrie and Billy Smedts, as well as mature-age recruit Orren Stephenson, in their opening-round NAB Cup clashes with St Kilda and Sydney.
Travis Varcoe (foot), James Podsiadly (shoulder), David Wojcinski (foot), Nathan Vardy (hip) and Daniel Menzel (knee) are all unavailable because of injury, while rising stars Allen Christensen, Mitch Brown and Josh Cowan will also be held back this week.
That means that the likes of Guthrie, Smedts and triple VFL premiership player Stephenson will all be in action against the Saints and Swans at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
"We think that we've got a few guys who've had two or three years in the system, that haven't had much exposure to AFL football, but are ready to perform at least at this level," Scott said at Simonds Stadium on Tuesday.
"In terms of our experienced players, we'll be a little lighter on there (and) a few things contribute to that."
"The late finish to last season and the compromised format in Round 1 of the NAB Cup are two of them."
"On paper, to people who don't know the Geelong list all that well, it will look pretty inexperienced."
"Orren will play significant game-time in the ruck."
"We're confident he can do the job, but until we see him against genuine opposition we're still not sure."
As for the players who are battling injury, Scott said he is hopeful of seeing Podsiadly and Wojcinski on the field before the home-and-away season begins, while Varcoe's recovery from surgery for stress fractures is on track but the original 10-week diagnosis stands.
While that means Varcoe could be ready to resume full training by either late March or early April, Menzel and Vardy remain long-term propositions after both undergoing operations during last season.
Young ruckman Vardy went under the knife to have a hip complaint corrected while Menzel ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the finals and Scott said it's likely to be mid-season at the earliest before either will be close to returning.