AFL pre-season games get underway as Hawthorn tackles arch rival Geelong in James Worpel’s first unofficial showdown with his former side.

We’ll get our first look at the Hawks’ new-look midfield without Worpel or the injured Will Day as the likes of Josh Ward, Cam MacKenzie and Connor Macdonald and are set to be given greater opportunities in the engine room alongside Jai Newcombe.

The Cats will unleash Worpel along with Tanner Bruhn in their beefed up on-ball group as they set out for another flag tilt in 2026.

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Watch the 2026 AFL pre-season match sims and AAMI Community Series LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Geelong faces Hawthorn in the first match simulation game.Source: FOX SPORTS

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Hawks’ squad for match simulation

1. Harry Morrison, 2. Mitch Lewis, 3. Jai Newcombe, 4. Jarman Impey, 5. Nick Watson, 6. James Sicily, 7. Ned Reeves, 8. Dylan Moore, 9. Connor Macdonald, 10. Karl Amon, 11. Conor Nash, 13. Calsher Dear, 14. Jack Scrimshaw, 16. Massimo D’Ambrosio, 17. Lloyd Meek, 18. Mabior Chol, 20. Finn Maginness, 21. Noah Mraz, 23. Josh Weddle, 25. Josh Ward, 26. Bodie Ryan, 28. Cam Mackenzie, 29. Aidan Schubert, 30. Sam Butler, 35. Oliver Greeves, 38. Max Ramsden, 39. Flynn Perez, 40. Jack Riding, 42. Bailey Macdonald, 44. Henry Hustwaite

Absent: Tom Barrass*, Jack Gunston*, Josh Battle*, Blake Hardwick*, Jack Ginnivan, Will Day, Cam Nairn, Will McCabe, Matt Leray, Cody Anderon, Jack Dalton, James Blanck, Matt Hill, Jamie Uhr-Henry

Cats’ squad for match simulation

2. Jay Polkinghorne, 4. Tanner Bruhn, 10. Mitch Knevitt, 11. Mitch Edwards, 12. Jack Bowes, 13. Jhye Clark, 14. Connor O’Sullivan, 15. George Stevens, 16. Sam De Koning, 20. Jacob Molier, 21. Oli Wiltshire, 22. Hunter Holmes, 23. Lennox Hofmann, 24. Jed Bews, 27. Nick Driscoll, 28. Ollie Dempsey, 29. James Worpel, 30. Tom Atkins, 32. Gryan Miers, 33. Shannon Neale, 34. Oisin Mullin, 36. Ollie Henry, 37. Joe Pike, 38. Jack Henry, 41. Cillian Burke, 42. Mark O’Connor, 45. Brad Close

Absent: Patrick Dangerfield*, Bailey Smith*, Max Holmes*, Tom Stewart*, Lawson Humphries*, Rhys Stanley, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Conway, Shaun Mannagh, Jake Kolodjashnij, Tyson Stengle, Jack Martin, Jesse Mellor, Harley Barker, Keighton Matofai-Forbes, Zach Guthrie, Mark Blicavs

* = played in Origin

The game will consist of four 30-minute periods with no time on.

It gets underway at 1:45pm AEDT from Hawthorn’s new Dingley Village home base, Kennedy Community Centre.

Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) and Kayo Sports from 1:45pm.

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