LUKE Crane kicked four first-half goals for Hampden in an interleague game four years ago.
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Hampden league is hoping its assistant coach can recreate that form when he lines up against Bendigo at Reid Oval on Saturday.
Crane played an off-field role for the Bottle Greens in 2017 as he recovered from a knee reconstruction.
Initial plans were for the Portland mentor to do likewise this year.
But a solid return to club football encouraged him to put his hand up for selection.
Hampden league coach Jonathan Brown named Crane in the Bottle Greens’ forward line after he got through their final training session at a rain-soaked Reid Oval on Thursday night.
Brown said Crane’s “talents and leadership” would be invaluable on the field.
The former Sturt footballer, who won a Magarey Medal during his SANFL days, kicked four goals in the Bottle Greens’ 97-point rout of Murray in 2015.