Billie Smedts will play his first game of football for 2016 this Friday night when the VFL Cats take on the North Ballarat Roosters at Eureka Stadium.

Smedts dislocated his left shoulder at training in early January and required a full shoulder reconstruction. Smedts was expected to be sidelined for at least four months but has made quick progress in his recovery and rehab program.

A total of 15 AFL listed players have been named in the VFL squad of 27 including Jordan Murdoch who will line up for the VFL Cats after being omitted from the AFL side. Matthew Hayball will play his second game in the hoops after being managed last week.

The Roosters who are now a stand alone VFL team after separating ties with North Melbourne at the end of 2015, currently sit 11th on the VFL ladder.

They opened their season with a hard fought six point win against Coburg before going down to a full-strength Essendon VFL outfit last weekend by 85 points.

The North Ballarat side includes reigning Liston Medal winner Nick Rippon, ex-Geelong big man Orren Stephenson and Joel Cowan, brother of Geelong’s Josh.

The last time the two teams met in round 17, 2015 the Roosters came away with a 47-point win.

Bendigo Bank Cats selected side:

B: (34) Parsons, (67) Stewart, (24) Bews

HB: (52) Hickey, (60) Robinson, (51) Tsitas

C: (2) Smedts, (33) Horlin-Smith, (21) Murdoch

HF: (17) Cornell, (30) Vardy, (11) Lang

F: (43) Bates, (12) Buzza, (71) Haintz

R: (42) Lucey, (37) Luxford, (70) Rees

I/C: (15) Hayball, (20) Gardner, (55) Close, (54) Tudor, (53) Farrelly, (64) Atkins, (50) Williams, (56) Paliouras, (65) McLachlan – 23rd player

VFL – ROUND 3

North Ballarat Roosters v Bendigo Bank Cats

7.00pm, Friday 22nd April

Eureka Stadium, Ballarat

Entry is $5 for Geelong Cats members, adults $10, concession $5 and children under 15 FREE.

Follow @GeelongVFL for live updates.