Lake and his new teammates from Western Region league club Caroline Springs will play a practice match in Hepburn against the Burras on Saturday as both clubs continue preparations for season 2016.

The 34-year-old Lake joined Caroline Springs following retirement from the AFL, which came after claiming a third-straight premiership with the Hawks last year.

His 251-game career at the highest level included 197 with the Western Bulldogs and 54 with the Hawks.

He won a Norm Smith Medal in 2013 and was twice named in the All-Australian team.

Olver said Lake would certainly play game time on Saturday.

“He’ll definitely play most of the game - at least three of the quarters,” he said.

“I think you can only learn from the experience.”

Olver said this would be the third year in-a-row Hepburn had played a practice match against Caroline Springs, whose players will stay at the Burras’ rooms on the weekend.

Hepburn’s second pre-season fixture will be against Castlemaine - led by former Hepburn coach Shane Robertson – on March 18 before the round one clash with Clunes on April 9.

Saturday’s senior match is set to begin at 1pm and will follow under-18 and reserves games.