Geelong coach Chris Scott says that the opposition should expect Rhys Stanley and Sam De Koning to work in tandem throughout 2025.
The ongoing search for the club's premier ruckman is currently being worked through, as De Koning, at this stage, has claimed the mantle as the No.1 man.
Stanley has previously been in the role but has been forced to bide his time in the reserves, with Scott confirming the 34-year-old will play VFL over the weekend.
De Koning was arguably the club's best performer in their Round 1 thumping of Fremantle, recording 25 disposals, six marks, four tackles, three clearances and a goal against Rising Star winner Luke Jackson.
But the Cats coach said that the 24-year-old's development would not be prioritised over the "overall balance" of the team.
"Definitely. I will be very surprised if that doesn't happen at some point," Scott said regarding both Stanley and De Koning in the senior side.
"I'm supremely confident he (Stanley) will play a good chunk of AFL footy this year.
"And that probably speaks to a little bit about the way we're thinking about De Koning.
"We're not sitting here saying it's all about developing Sam as a player at the expense of the team.
"We're still doing what we think is best for the team in the short-term but it is multifaceted."
Scott and the Cats face St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
In the corresponding match last year, Geelong gave up a 33-point lead in Round 23, and is weary of the Saints challenge, especially after their poor performance against Adelaide.
The Cats are aware of Ross Lyon's ability to get his team firing under the lid in the Docklands, of which Scott understands is a different ball game to every other venue.
"It's world-class that place," Scott said.
"It is different. It's the only indoor stadium in the competition. The ball does ping around. Sometimes, I think it can take some time getting used to.
"And if you had your choice, I think we play there twice this year, our choice would be to play early in the year. St Kilda haven't trained there or played there either, so it's a little bit more even. When you play there Round 23, having not played there at all, against a team that plays there every other week, then there's an adjustment that takes place. Teams are in a similar position when they come to Geelong.
"But I like the idea that you know what you're going to get and from a coaching perspective, you don't need to think about the conditions.
"But that's the way our competition is structured."
High half-forward Shaun Mannagh will also feature in the VFL in a bid to return to the senior side.
Scott says he could play but the club has opted to build him up in preparation for the rigours of top-level football.
