Michael Rischitelli is 29 and in his 12th season in the AFL, but the early numbers for season 2015 say he has never played better.

Rischitelli is the SUNS’ equal leading possession-winner through the first two rounds of the season, and has been a clear standout along with Dion Prestia.

Having worn jumper number 35 throughout his 180 AFL games with the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS, he had a career-best and team-high 35 possessions for the SUNS against St Kilda last weekend.

This followed his 21 possessions in the season opener against Melbourne, when he ranked second only to Prestia’s 29 for the SUNS.

His Round 1-2 total of 56 possessions is a personal best, having played in the first two games of the season 10 years in a row from 2006.

Even when he won the Lions best and fairest award in 2010, he began the season with only 46 possessions in the first two games.

The joint effort of Rischitelli and Prestia has been bettered by only Gary Ablett in club history. He began with 65 possessions in 2011, 58 in 2012, 82 in 2012 and 57 last year.

No less than six players will be visiting the ‘Cattery’ for the first time – 2014 newcomers Kade Kolodjashnij, Sean Lemmens and Jack Martin, and 2015 counterparts Jarrod Garlett, Touk Miller and Adam Saad.

In the SUNS’ two previous visits to a ground in which Geelong have been near invincible in recent years, they lost by 150 points in 2011 and 52 points in 2013.

Rischitelli, Tom Lynch, Trent McKenzie, David Swallow and Rory Thompson will be the only SUNS making their third appearance at Simonds Stadium in SUNS colors.

Overall the SUNS are 1-4 against Geelong, having triumphed by 40 points in Round 14 last year the last time they met.

The absence of injured pair Jarrod Harbrow and Danny Stanley on Sunday means that Rischitelli and McKenzie will be the only SUNS players not to have missed a game against the Cats.