Geelong midfielder Shannon Byrnes believes the Cats will use their upcoming Challenge Trophy match against Port Adelaide in London to road test changes to the side's 2006 game plan.

The match, which will be played at Brit Oval in London on 21 October will be the Cats' first overseas encounter since 1991 and Power's first ever.

Byrnes said the Cats will take the off-season game seriously and will use it to work on changes recently forecast by coach Mark Thompson to the side's style.

AFL is coming to the brit Oval on 21 October
"I suppose it will be a good chance to test out our new game plan and the new things we are implementing into our game for next year, It's more an experience than anything, I suppose, but I'm sure the boys will be better for it.

Byrnes added: "It's definitely a serious match for us. I don't think any of the boys could play a game not serious. Once the ball is bounced, it becomes serious. Bomber has spoken to us about it and he wants us to take it professionally and as serious as we possibly can.

"The boys have done a few training sessions so we're going to be pretty fit for it. It will be a decent hit-out."

The Cats will leave for the UK on 16 October with a few players set to stay on after the official trip to sightsee.

While Byrnes said the trip does cut into the valuable down time the Cats receive each year, it promises to be a good way for the players to maintain some form of match condition before the pre-season commences.

"It does interrupt our off-season in a way, it is meant to be a time to relax but in a good way it's going to keep us all on our toes and none of us will go the wrong way and become unfit," he said.

"But it's a welcome sort of interruption, if you can have such a thing.

"We're still keeping fit but at the same time, we're still having a holiday so it's sort of a win-win in a way."

Geelong Cats v Port Adelaide Power on 21 October at the Brit Oval
Byrnes said the whole list will make the trip with 24 to take part in the match. Steve Johnson, Jarad Rooke and Kane Tenace will not play after undergoing post-season surgery.

Byrnes also revealed the Cats will link up with players from premier league side Fulham FC as they prepare for the match.

"We're going to train at their ground and meet a few of their players so that will be a really good experience," he said.

"We'll also see if we can have a look at some of the other premier league teams while we're over there as well, and some rugby clubs too. It will be interesting."

Byrnes said the Cats were expecting a large crowd of expat Australians to turn out for the game.

"I can only go on what I've heard but people who have gone to the game before have said it pretty much gets packed out," he said.

"I've just been told there is a good atmosphere and the Aussies over there love it."

Tickets are on sale now at www.surreycricket.com/ticketing/ priced at Adults £20 and U-16s £10.

The match will start at 13.30.

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