Sewell joins captain Shaune Moloney and number one ruckman Orren Stephenson will be on the sidelines for today's clash with Gold Coast at Eureka Stadium Ballarat.

Sewell was ruled out last night with hamstring soreness - the same problem which has Moloney out for the a second week.

Stephenson is recovering from a broken hand and is expected to miss up to another six weeks.

Selkirk Roosters football manager Marg Richards said Sewell pulled up sore after the win over Collingwood a week ago, but trained on Wednesday night.

Sewell, Moloney and Stephenson are the three most important players in the North Ballarat line-up as the VFL's reigning best and fairest, captain and competition's number one ruckman respectively.

North Ballarat has stood up to cover the losses of Moloney and Stephenson, now it must stretch itself further in the midfield and onball rotation to cover Sewell.

Injuries to Sewell and Stevie Dinnell (abductor) have allowed coach Gerard FitzGerald to recall the pacy duo of Bill Driscoll and Clinton Benjamin.

In a third change, first-year player Chris Giampaolo replaces Daniel Jones as 23rd player.

FitzGerald said that, as was always the scenario with injuries to key players, others would have to carry added pressure.

"Of course, as always it also provides an opportunity," he said.

FitzGerald had a sneak preview of what to expect on Gold Coast's first visit to Ballarat in the VFL when the Queenslanders had a short training sessions at Eureka Stadium late yesterday.

He described the visiting outfit as athletic, with coach Guy Mckenna putting them through their paces.

FitzGerald said he had emphasised to his players that no matter where they were playing or who they were playing against, their approach to every game must be organised and consistent.

North Ballarat starts a red-hot favourite against the battling Gold Coast.