Two players with four combined AFL premierships to their name as set to run out in the Central Highlands Football League this weekend.
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James Kelly and Dale Thomas are locked-in to make their CHFL debuts on Saturday.
Thomas will don the Ballan colours in a one off game with the club when its hosts fellow winless side Daylesford.
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Coach Tristan Batten told The Courier it was exciting to have someone of Thomas' calibre on the field to lift the side and match the positives off field.
"It'll be awesome. The first two games we've had really good crowds there ... so there's positive signs off the field but we've just got to keep grinding away on the field," he said.
Thomas played 258 games for Collingwood and Carlton, his resume including the 2010 premiership with the Magpies and an All-Australian selection in 2011.
Not too far up the highway Gordon will host Newlyn with ex-Cat and Bomber James Kelly running out for his Eagles debut.
The 313-game star has signed on for the remainder of the CHFL season and finals.
Co-coach Adam Toohey said it was great to have someone of Kelly's experience at the highest level at the club.
"It's created a real buzz around the group. It's a pretty cool thing to rub shoulders with an ex-AFL player, let alone a 300 game, All-Australian and triple premiership one," he said.
"It's just a huge bonus to be able to add a person of his ability and experience around the club.
"When asked where he wants to play he said 'I'm happy to play wherever the team needs me.' That sort of team mindset is what makes it all so exciting."
Getting Kelly in is the perfect top up to an already strong list, Toohey said.
"As a group we've been very confident in what we've had over the last few years but knew all we needed to add was a little bit of polish," he said.
"To be able to add James and Shannon is exactly what we have been chasing."
Kelly played in four grand finals with Geelong and won three premierships and was picked in the 2011 All-Australian team alongside Thomas.
Both games kick-off from 2:35pm on Saturday.
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