Hampden interleague coach Chris McLaren said the star goal-kicker was taking a cautious path as he makes his way back from a knee reconstruction that saw him miss the entire 2015 season.

“We totally understand, coming off a knee reconstruction,” McLaren said.

“He’s just pulled up a little bit sore.

“It’s disappointing in the fact we’d like to have him in the side.”

Cobden’s Sam Harkin also flagged his unavailability for the clash early.

But with the pair out, Hampden selectors have brought another new face into the squad.

Fresh off his first game for the Hamilton Kangaroos, former AFL rookie-listed player Alroy Gilligan has been included and attended the squad’s first training run on Wednesday night.

“He’s played state footy in Western Australia with Claremont, was a Richmond rookie for a couple of years as well,” McLaren said.

It adds to the depth of state league talent in the squad, with more than a dozen current and former VFL, NEAFL and SANFL players, as well as TAC Cup footballers.

Rudolph is in doubt for the interleague clash, however, as he works his way back from a groin injury that has restricted him to two games so far this season.

Camperdown’s Cam Spence is also under an injury cloud, though McLaren said his hamstring complaint might just be a one- or two-week injury, as is Warrnambool’s Tim Hunt.

“If they don’t play in the two weeks between now and interleague (they’re unlikely to be named in the team),” McLaren said.