Bloods coach Michael Sargeant said the former Hampden interleague representative was battling a hot spot in his foot, forcing him out of their must-win clash against Hamilton Kangaroos on Saturday.

“He’s booked in to see the specialist within the next week,” he said.

“It’s not looking great. He had a problem with his other foot earlier in the season and this one raised its head the last four weeks and it’s not getting better.

“He’s been struggling with it for a bit and we had to do something about it.”

Jake Crawley joins Baxter on the sidelines with a  quad strain which is likely to keep him out for two to three weeks.

Xavier Reicha (unavailable) and Sam McLean (omitted) also make way.

Darwin friends Brodie Carroll and Jess Budarick, Daniel Kenna and match-winner Mark Clissold return to the Bloods’ best 21.

TAC Cup-listed teenager Josh Mawson is the Kangaroos’ only addition, replacing the injured Kane Quinn.

Cobden welcomes back its own former interleague representative Paul Hinkley.

Hinkley has recovered from a calf strain and will replace teenage defender Jack McGlade (hip) against Portland.

Port Fairy has made three changes for its clash with fellow top-three contender South Warrnambool, bringing in Lachlan Chapman (head knock), Lachie Glare (calf tightness) and Kurt Lenehan (hamstring tightness). Cameron Pevitt (wisdom teeth), Johnny Bell (unavailable) and Joe Lenehan (omitted) are out.

Talented teenager Isaac Thomas returns to the Roosters from the TAC Cup.

Camperdown named a four-man bench, bringing teenagers Toby Mahony, Charlie Brett, Josh Bone and Isaac Stephens to face Koroit.

Fraser Lucas (jaw), Jesse Galichan (chest) and Luke Mahony (foot) are out. Levi Nagorcka (calf) returns for the Saints. Warrnambool added Sam Cowling and Andrew McCarthy.