Shaun Hampson is set to make his long-awaited return in yellow and black this week in the VFL Tigers’ clash with Geelong on Saturday morning.
The ruckman has been sidelined with a niggling back injury since March, after appearing 20 times for the AFL side in 2016.
During this period, he averaged 32.6 hitouts a game, and combined with star midfielder Dustin Martin to lethal effect.
His inclusion in the squad boosts the VFL Tigers’ big man stocks, with the in-form Ivan Maric, Todd Elton, and Mabior Chol rounding off an impressive array of tall timber for the clash at Simonds Stadium.
Key VFL-listed players Hugh Beasley and Thomas Silvestro have also been named in the squad, having been rested for the Tigers’ most recent clash with North Ballarat.
The VFL Tigers will be refreshed and ready for a challenge, having entered last week's bye round on the back of a gritty 42-point victory against the Roosters.
Last week's round of games sees the Tigers in fifth position on the ladder, however, a spot back in the top-four is up for grabs should they defeat Geelong, with third-placed Footscray having their bye round this week.
The Cats currently sit in 12th position on 20 points, requiring three sizable victories from their final three games, and other results to go their way, in order to secure a finals berth.
The VFL match on Saturday will be played as a curtain-raiser to the AFL clash between the Tigers and Cats at Simonds Stadium, and will commence at 10:15am.
Gates will open at 10am, and a ticket to the AFL clash will be required to watch the VFL Tigers in action.
Radio coverage of the game will be provided through the club's app for those unable to attend.
B: Beasley, Chol, Garthwaite
HB: Hunt, Markov, Short
C: Menadue, Townsend, Silvestro
HF: Batchelor, Lennon, Bolton
F: Lloyd, Moore, Stengle
Foll: Maric, Graham, Ballard
Int: Aarts, Coffield, Darley, Elton, Hampson, Kruse, Mannagh, Wood
