Couch, who won a VFL flag in 2010, was cleared to the GJ Gardner Tigers from Terang-Mortlake during the pre-season and will play in the Central Highlands Football League when not required by the Roosters.

The on-baller has been released to play for the Tigers at the weekend, with the Roosters opening their campaign on Sunday against Collingwood.

Tigers coach Terry Simpson told The Courier Couch had trained twice with the squad and expected him to form part of the midfield rotations against the Crows.

Simpson, who made a successful start to his stint at the helm with a comfortable win over Dunnstown last weekend, is wary of a Beaufort team that has recruited heavily for 2015 and opened the year with a good victory over Daylesford.

“In their off-season (Beaufort) picked up lot of quality players so they’ll be looking to impress and we’ve just got to play good footy,” Simpson said.

Defender Simon Quinlan is another key inclusion for the Tigers, while classy backman Tim Malone is sidelined after having surgery on his hand during the week.

The Crows justified some of their pre-season hype by easily accounting for the Bulldogs last Saturday, but face another big test against the 2014 grand finalists.

Beaufort has made three changes to the round one side, with recruit Joe Mason and defenders Chris Berry and Damian Day the ins, while new player Brendan Foster is among those to make way.

PREDICTION: Springbank to kick clear late in the game.

tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au