Forth injured himself in the warm-up of the last training session for the Warrnambool and District side ahead of its clash against Colac and District at Reid Oval tomorrow.

The injury has robbed playing coach Simon O’Keefe of a midfield rotation for the match between AFL Victoria Country’s 33rd and 34th-ranked sides.

But the Panmure mentor, speaking at a team dinner at Mack Oval last night, was upbeat about the prospects of victory.

O’Keefe, a former Hampden and Victoria Country representative, urged his players to make the most of the opportunity in front of them.

“It’s a pretty exciting time. Look forward to playing with the Darcy Lewises, the Todd McLeans, the Jye Bidmades,” he said.

“Playing with the best players in the competition should get you keen to give it a red-hot shot on Saturday.”

O’Keefe also enlisted his former Koroit teammate Joe McLaren to speak ahead of what will be one of the biggest days of south-west football in years.

McLaren had a 69-game AFL career with St Kilda and North Melbourne but spoke of his experiences playing for Victoria Country at Australian Country Football Championships.

He said interleague football could open doors for those that impress to follow in his — and O’Keefe’s — footsteps.

But before they could consider any personal ambitions, McLaren stressed how much of an honour it was to play for Warrnambool and District.

“You’re not just representing yourselves, you’re representing your family, your friends and your footy clubs,” he said.

“When you think about your clubs, there’s seniors, reserves, juniors, how many sides of netball, officials, volunteers.

“Then you top that up with general supporters of the Warrnambool and District league.

“You’re going out to represent Warrnambool, to represent the community.”

McLaren went as far as insisting the Warrnambool and District players had more responsibility on their shoulders than their Hampden counterparts.

“They’re already ranked seven, you guys are ranked 33rd,” he said.

He urged the players to rise to the challenge the contest is certain to provide.

“This game of footy on Saturday will be some of the best footy some of you will play,” he said.

“It will be like a Hampden league final. It will be a fair game of footy.”

The finalised 22-player teams released last night points to a mouth-watering contest between two neighbouring competitions.

Most attention will be on the midfield battle, with O’Keefe, Nirranda recruit Nathan Couch and Merrivale gem Sam Gleeson starting in the centre for Warrnambool and District.

They will take on a Colac and District unit featuring Forrest dynamo Sean Calcedo, Birregurra premiership captain Michael Davis and Colac Imperials recruit Tom McKay.

Gun Panmure goalkicker Chris Bant has the task of outmuscling Birregurra champion Stephen Salajan, one of the most agile key defenders this side of Geelong. At the other end, Dennington strongman Matt Van Kempen has the job on strong Simpson forward Nick Harding.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au