But the premiership tall’s influence is not lost on Hampden interleague coach Jonathan Brown.

The former AFL key forward expects McPherson – one of nine premiership Saints in the Bottle Greens’ team – to have a major impact against Bendigo in their AFL Victoria Championships match at Reid Oval on Saturday.

“I like McPherson’s attitude and the way he goes about it and I think it’s important to have a lock-down defender,” Brown said.

“I am not worried about how many touches he gets as long as the oppo doesn’t kick any goals.

“We are mindful the opposition have a couple of big goal kickers.

“A guy (Lachlan) Sharp kicked 11 goals for Strathfieldsaye on the weekend and he’s obviously capable of kicking big scores.”

McPherson will join fellow Koroit backmen Dallas Mooney and Brett Harrington, midfielders Liam Hoy, Levi Nagorcka and Taylor Mulraney, ruckman Jeremy Hausler and forwards Tim McIntyre and Jarrod Korewha in the Bottle Greens’ outfit.

Brown said the four-time reigning premier was a strong supporter of interleague football.

“It just shows the culture of the place,” he said.

“They’re the benchmark of the competition and their attitude towards interleague is outstanding.

“That’s why they’re a great club. It is no coincidence they are such a successful club.”

Brown, in his second year at the helm, said it was important Hampden picked a team with pace which could use Reid Oval’s vast expanses.

“We have a pretty athletic team. Interleague football can be quick games, so you have just got to be careful about being beaten on the outside,” he said.

“Last year we almost got done for pace on the outside and got away with it so this year we’ve picked a side mindful of that.

“(Portland’s Jay) Moody has been a bit sore but he’s got a lot of pace and (Port Fairy’s) Kaine Mercovich has come into the line up after being injured last year and Nagorcka comes in as well.”

Bendigo will be without former AFL midfielder Andrew Collins who was forced out with a quad injury.

The ex-Richmond and Carlton player was best on ground in Bendigo’s 2017 loss to Ballarat.

Kanagroo Flat midfielder Jonathan Lanyon, who won his club’s best and fairest last season, was a late out on Friday citing hamstring tightness.

Mobile Eaglehawk ruckman Jonty Neaves was named as his replacement.

Five-time Bendigo league premiership player Jack Geary will captain the side.