The Lions successfully secured Steenholdt’s clearance on appeal after it was blocked by former club Coronet City.

Darley president Ben Gould said it was a pleasing result for the former club captain-coach, who has moved back to the local area after a season with the Ballarat-based City.

“I think it’s a common sense outcome. When a player has moved from one end of the association to the other, it’s common sense that he should be able to play with that club that he is in the area with,” Gould told The Courier.

Steenholdt returns to Darley after a successful season with Coronet City.

During 2011-12, the top-order bat made almost 400 runs, including two centuries, at an average of 49.3.

His return to Darley follows three years as captain-coach of the club.

Gould said the clearance request wasn’t about Steenholdt playing every game with the Lions this season, but simply to allow him an opportunity to play locally when work permitted.

Meanwhile, Ballarat-Redan’s fifths side will resemble a team from yesteryear this weekend.

Due to a shortage of players, a number of club legends will return to the field for the one-day clash against Lucas at Victoria Park 5. Among the familiar faces will be Combine leading run scorer, 48-year-old Anthony Grundell, who needs just 59 to reach 10,000 career runs with the club. Also named to play is 61-year-old Wayne Lillingston, who has started in more than 300 games and made 8698 runs with the Two Swords.

In total, the 12 selected players will have amassed close to 2000 games of experience, more than 30,000 runs and in excess of 1400 wickets.

tim.oconnor@thecourier.com.au