Learmonth's Kyle Mackay has been rushed into the Central Highlands Football League senior squad ahead of Saturday's AFL Victoria Community Championships showdown with North Central.
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Mackay, who was initially left out of the final group of 26, has been called in after Andrew Pitson and James Lukich both ruled themselves unavailable.
Lukich has been battling soreness but has continued playing at club level for Waubra, while Pitson missed Skipton's win over Creswick on Saturday with a knee problem.
Both have decided to withdraw from the interleague program.
Mackay played for the Highlanders in 2018 during the team's narrow loss to Riddell District and is being touted as a midfield option for the team this Saturday.
CHFL joint-coach Heath Pyke said Mackay was unlucky to miss the final squad released last week but was pleased to add him back into calculations for the team of 23.
Mackay, who generally plays in defence for the Lakies but has been used more in the midfield this year, has been named in his side's best in every match this season.
The Highlanders gathered for a recovery session on Sunday and will train on Tuesday and Thursday this week before Saturday's match.
Tuesday's session will be held at Learmonth before a hit-out on Thursday at Bungaree.
The CHFL is looking to return to winning ways for the first time since 2015 when it beat Horsham District.
The Ballarat Football League is also putting the finishing touches to its preparation for the battle with the Hampden competition.
The BFL senior side is being coached by Chris Stuhldreier while the Hampden team is guided by Brisbane Lions champion Jonathan Brown.