The classy former AFL player - he played 217 matches for Geelong and Port Adelaide at the elite level - will make his Hampden league debut against Port Fairy at Bushfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday, April 20.

Eagles coach Nathan Vardy played alongside Motlop at the Cats and knows what he's capable of producing on the football field.

"I get to play with my mate again is always good," the first-year coach told The Standard.

"It's exciting for North Warrnambool too. It just creates a great buzz when someone of his calibre comes to the football club and it's a great opportunity for the young blokes to learn off him as well."

Port Fairy will be without Jett Hopper (hamstring), Tyson Macilwain (unavailable) and Joel Moloney (hamstring).

Arley Fleming, Kelby Fleming and debutant Campbell Andrews, who has been elevated from the under 18 competition, come in.

Portland has made two changes to its side to face Terang Mortlake at Hanlon Park, welcoming back key position player Jake Wilson (unavailable) and Kane Johnson (shoulder).

Tom Sharp (unavailable) and Kodi Jones make way for the Tigers.

Terang Mortlake has brought in under-18 pair Tyler Vickers and Ned Roberts and recruit Tom Arundell who will play his first game of the season after returning home from the Northern Territory.

It will be without experienced trio Joe Arundell (quad), Max Lower (unavailable) and Xavier Moloney (unavailable).

Bloods coach Lewis Taylor said Lower, who is based out of Sydney, had impressed in his first two matches for the club.

The midfielder gathered 34 disposals in round one and 26 in round two.

"Max has found his feet early; he's played quality footy in the past," Taylor said.

"His first game was unbelievable and his second was good and he's just going to get better and better."

Moloney, who is based in Swan Hill, made his comeback for his home club in round two and "didn't look out of place", collecting 20 touches.

Hamilton Kangaroos will unveil a debutant among two changes for their clash with reigning premier South Warrnambool at Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve.

Key defender Jake Donehue will come in for his first senior game. James Whyte is the other inclusion.

Roos coach Brad Thomas said Donehue had developed in the reserves and deserved his opportunity.

Three-time Maskell Medallist Levi Dare returns to Colac and District league club Alvie but is expected to back in Hamilton Kangaroos' colours throughout the season while midfielder Rory Gill is out with concussion.

"Levi will give us three games. He did really well (against Camperdown). He's a big body in the ruck," Thomas said.

Gill can't play for 21 days under the new AFL health and safety protocols for country football and will also miss the Roos' traditional Anzac Day clash with Portland on Thursday, April 25.

South Warrnambool has made three changes with Trent Williamson, Noah Kol and Sam Lenehan coming in for injured trio Liam Mullen, Louis Herbert and Josh Saunders.

Midfield recruit Eric Guthrie will miss Camperdown's crucial clash with Koroit at Leura Oval with general soreness.

He is one of three changes for the Magpies with Brendan Richardson (knee) and Nick Jones (omitted).

Fraser Lucas (unavailable), Luke O'Neil (unavailable) and Tommy Baker (under 18) come in for the Neville Swayn-coached.

Koroit welcomes back Matt Bradley and Talor Byrne from injury with Kyle Moloney and Cameron Rains omitted.

Warrnambool will be without ex-AFL key forward Aaron Black for the next two rounds due to VFL coaching commitments with Geelong.

Black, who kicked seven goals in the Blues' round two win against Port Fairy, is a key omission against Cobden.

Will Lord, Rhys Jansen van Beek and Nick Hooker return to the Blues' line-up with Amon Radley and Jaiden Wells joining Black as their outs.

* Teams as supplied by the clubs

North Warrnambool Eagles v Port Fairy - 2pm Saturday at Bushfield Recreation Reserve

North Warrnambool Eagles

B: R.Scoble, J.Johnstone, J.Lewis

HB: L.Wines, A.Noske, B.Jenkinson

C: S.McKinnon, D.Bermingham, J.Bermingham

HF: F.Jones, M.Wines, T.Batten

F: A.Wines, S.Motlop, J.Grundy

R: W.Brennan, N.Vardy, H.Cobb

Int: T.James, J.Dillon, T.Keast

Port Fairy

B: Z.McKenna, J.Moloney, I.Martin

HB: L.Gunning, C.Harwood, T.Macilwain

C: J.Bartlett, C.McDonald, D.Gunning

HF: M.Sully, S.Lucardie, L.King

F: J.hopper, J.Rowan, R.Hall

R: O.Myers, M.Staude, G.Swarbrick

Int: O.Pollock, K.Mercovich, R.Mohan, M.Ryan

Portland Tigers v Terang Mortlake - 2pm Saturday at Hanlon Park

Portland Tigers

B: L.Evans, B.Field, P.Procter

HB: C.Piergrosse, T.Oakley, D.Bell

C: N.Nicholls, H.Kerr, T.Jennings

HF: K.Vallance, M.Curtis, W.Hunter

F: G.Kissane, A.Hann, J.Wilson

R: D.Campbell, B.Malcolm, L.Goldby

Int: Z.Stuchbery, M.England, K.Johnson, S.Peck

Terang Mortlake

D.Hutchins, X.Vickers, D.Hobbs, D.Jones, M.Arundell, M.Lower, R.Buck, B.Reid, G.Bourke, J.Moloney, R.Tanner, Z.Reeves, X.Moloney, T.Harris, R.Hutchins, J.Hay, S.Crawley, L.O'Connor, K.Johnstone, S.Mclean, H.Robert

Camperdown v Koroit - 2pm Saturday at Victoria Park

Camperdown

B: A.McBean, L.O'Neil, B.Draffin

HB: J.Dowell, J.Place, S.Bradshaw

C: J.Dundon, M.Field, C.Spence

HF: A.Gordon, H.Sumner, H.Sinnott

F: D.Absalom, C.Lucas, S.Gordon

R: R.Arnold, F.Lucas, W.Rowbottom

Int: J.O'Neil, T.Baker, M.Sinnott, T.Kent

Koroit

B: D.Mooney, J.Whitehead, J.Block

HB: T.Baulch, T.Stephens, M.Petersen

C: A.Campbell, L.Hoy, J.Neave

HF: J.McCosh, T.Waterson

F: M.Bradley, W.Couch

R: C.Byrne, P.O'Sullivan, J.Mcinerney

Int: J.Noonan, T.Hines, T.Byrne, H.Noonan, J.Grayland, N.Whiting

Cobden v Warrnambool - 2pm Saturday at Cobden Recreation Reserve

Cobden

B: L.Smith, S.Thow, C.Koroneos

HB: S.Lucas, J.Hutt, G.Rooke

C: A.Uwland, A.Taylor, H.Herschell

HF: J.Hammond, B.Berry, C.Smith

F: J.Williamson, M.Koroneos, P.Pekin

R: T.Auckland, P.Smith, B.Mahoney

Int: B.McGlade, L.Robertson, Z.Green, H.Robertson

Emg: L.Darcy, L.Hickey, J.Hickey

Warrnambool

B: N.Hooker, O.Opperman, J.Chittick

HB: T.Wason, A.McCarthy, S.Cowling

C: W.Lord, R.Mast, L.Bidmade

HF: A.Steere, B.Cunnington, F.Timms

F: J.Bell, L.Cody, H.Ryan

R: J.Turland, M.Bidmade, D.Weymouth

Int: D.Graham, R.Warfe, J.Walters, R.Jansen van beek

Hamilton Kangaroos v South Warrnambool - 2pm Saturday at Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve

Hamilton Kangaroos

B: R.Sigley, H.McGinley, H.Douglas

HB: C.Pither, W.Povey, T.Morris

C: L.Barnes, E.Knight, J.Murray

HF: H.Waldron, V.Huf, H.Cook

F: D.Russell, M.McMeel, L.Urquhart

R: J.English, N.Herrmann, C.Whyte

Int: B.Hicks, T.Hawthorne, J.Whyte, J.Donehue

South Warrnambool

B: T.Williamson, S.Thompson, C.Gallichan

HB: I.Thomas, P.Anderson, H.Lee

C: S.Rhodes, B.Osborne, D.Nicholson

HF: S.Kelly, J.Folkes, J.Dye

F: S.Beks, N.Kol, N.Thompson

R: J.Henderson, J.Bermingham, M.McCluggage

Int: M.Irving, O.Smith, S.Lenehan, R.Thomas