Stephenson was yesterday named in a dramatically new-look Geelong squad for tomorrow night’s NAB Cup triple header with Sydney and St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

Ross, a Rebels graduate, was called-up in a 34-man St Kilda squad for the showdowns.

Geelong coach Chris Scott signalled early this week that Stephenson would have significant ruck time for the Cats this week.

Scott told Geelong media the Cats were confident the 29-year-old could do the job, but they still want to test him against genuine opposition in match conditions.

Stephenson, a father-of-three, joined the reigning premier at pick 79 in last year’s AFL National Draft.

He was recruited to help fill the void left by retiring big men Brad Ottens and Mark Blake.

Stephenson and the emerging Trent West have been left to shoulder the Cats’ ruck load following long-term injuries to Dawson Simpson (back) and Nathan Vardy (hip).

Meanwhile, Ross is among an inexperienced Saints squad, which has named 14 players to have played less than 10 AFL matches.

Ross is former Ballarat Clarendon College and Horsham Demons footballer and was drafted to the Saints at pick 25.

He is set to follow Rebels’ captain Nick O’Brien and wingman Lauchlan Dalgleish as former Rebels debutants in the pre-season competition.

O’Brien and Dalgleish, a rookie-listed player, each stepped out for Essendon on Sunday in Perth.

The Saints, led by newly re-appointed captain Nick Riewoldt, will also welcome back star midfielder Lenny Hayes on the field.

Hayes has been named in his first squad since round two last season, when he sustained a season-ending knee injury. Squads for the remaining two NAB Cup triple headers this weekend are yet to be named.

Adelaide is expected to name former Beaufort and Rebels’ midfielder Brad Crouch in its squad to face Carlton and Port Adelaide.

The All-Australian under-18 player was drafted to the Crows via the GWS mini-draft in AFL Trade Week in October.

Signed as a 17-year-old, Crouch is ineligible to play AFL until 2013 but the Crows have been granted league permission to trial him.