Learmonth is hoping the special round one appearance alongside Luke Hodge won't be the last in the blue and yellow for two of his childhood friends.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jake Carmody and Micah Buchanan will join Hodge in the round one team for Matt Jackson's 100th game with the Lakies.
Learmonth coach Nick Willox said it was hoped Carmody and Buchanan would continue to play throughout the Central Highlands Football League season, even if it was only sparingly.
Both Carmody and Buchanan have Victorian Football League experience and most recently played with Ocean Grove and Geelong Amateur respectively.
They have the potential to greatly boost a Lakies side which will include new faces James Laidlaw and Tom McKechnie in 2020.
Laidlaw has joined Learmonth from Wimmera league outfit Ararat, where he started in 13 senior games last year.
Willox said Laidlaw would be a starting midfielder for the Lakies, which have recently lost the influential Kyle Mackay from the engine room. Mackay, a former captain and interleague representative, has joined Lara in the Geelong competition.
McKechnie is also an exciting addition to the ranks after making the shift from Lake Wendouree. He played five senior matches for the Lakers in 2019 and 13 the year before that.
The young ruckman will be a great sidekick for James Pratt, who won the Learmonth best and fairest last season.
While there are some nice inclusions to the squad, the Lakies have lost Zelencich brothers Anthony and Richard to Wickliffe-Lake Bolac.
Anthony proved a real find for Learmonth, booting hauls of 38 and 35 goals across the last couple of campaigns, while Richard was used in a variety of roles after returning to the club in 2019.
A sub-committee has been established to prepare for the appearance of Hodge in the clash against Rokewood-Corindhap on Saturday, April 18.
It is being headed by former club president Matt Hines.
The former Hawthorn and Brisbane Lions player is expected to draw a finals-like crowd to Learmonth for what will be his first appearance since retiring from the AFL.
Hodge was drafted as the number one pick in 2001 and in a glittering career at Hawthorn won four premierships and two Norm Smith medals. He was All-Australian on three occasions and won the club's best and fairest award - the Peter Crimmins Medal - twice.
He left Hawthorn at the end of 2017 and played two seasons with the Brisbane Lions before retiring after 41 games.
Hodge, Jackson, Carmody and Buchanan last played together at Colac's Trinity College.
Learmonth finished 12th last season after winning six games.
This year will be Willox's third in charge of the Lakies' senior side, which has not played finals since way back in 2009.