Schache (knee) and Peters (ankle) failed to clear fitness testing at training on Friday night ahead of the team’s televised Victorian Football League match at Simonds Stadium.

It is a disappointing blow for the pair. Schache had put in an extra training session with North Ballarat Rebels’ TAC Cup squad in a bid to be cleared for Roosters action.

The Selkirk Roosters will have extra attention on their game this weekend in their first televised match this season, under new broadcaster Channel Seven.

Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said there did not feel to be any added pressure on match preparations with the added spotlight – the Roosters were determined to keep turning their game around regardless.

“They’re a bit excited about the telly game, but I think there’s enough pressure on playing better for longer periods rather than just because it will be on the telly,” he said.

“Players are really looking forward to it – they always love playing in Geelong, it’s a terrific spot to be playing footy, and we’re used to travelling. But this is a pretty comfortable trip for most.”

Geelong, like the Roosters, need this win to stay in touch with the competition leaders.

Both teams have only chalked up two wins this season – the Cats from seven games, the Roosters from eight – and are two wins off top-eight pace.

Head-to-head, the Roosters have the edge on the Cats, having won 14 of the 26 bouts, including their last meeting at Eureka Stadium in round 18 last season that the Roosters won by 17 points.

Playing the Cats at Simonds Stadium last season was when the Roosters claimed an important breakthrough win.

Geelong has injected pace with the returning Sam Blease and Nakia Cockatoo, both from injury.

The Roosters turned a corner in their game last week with a strong finish against Sandringham. FitzGerald said this was a great show of resilience, even though their rivals still had a lot more of the ball.

It was time to grit their teeth and go again.

• Opening bounce for North Ballarat Roosters’ game in Geelong is 12.12pm, not 2.12pm as stated in The Courier on Friday.

ROOSTERS TEAM

B: Warren# Tippett* Staley

HB: Kiel Boseley Mullett *

C: Atley* Sewell Austin

HF: Keeble Garner* Hoy

F: A Hooper Black* George

R: Preuss# McKenzie* Rippon

Interchange: Anderson Marshall ^ Tsitas Scott Lockyer 

*North Melbourne-listed #North Melbourne rookie

^ 23rd men 

IN: Rowan Marshall, Joel Tippett, Sam Scott, Lucas Anderson, James Tsitas

OUT: Brody Mahoney (23rd), Sam Durdin, Orren Stephenson, Nick Peters and Coleman Schache (all injured)