The former Yarrawonga president, who was instrumental in luring Fevola to the Pigeons in 2012, said the full-forward was never a big fan of pre-season and would benefit from a stint in the South African jungle.

Fevola has switched to Deer Park after four seasons, two premierships, 357 goals and 65 games at Yarrawonga.

“He’ll go in as per usual. If anything, he’ll probably go into the season a lot fitter because he won’t be eating a heap of rubbish or on the grog and smokes,” Mr Brear said.

“He might even be underdone – he might be too light.

“Deer Park won’t have to worry because he never did pre-season the whole time he was here so he’s not missing much.”

Mr Brear expected the former Carlton and Brisbane spearhead to struggle without modern-day luxuries in the series, which has made headlines with its stomach-churning challenges.

In previous series, participants have been dunked in elephant poo, covered in rats and forced to eat live spiders 

“He’ll be a lost soul, don’t worry about that. He’ll have no coffee, no Twitter and his ability to talk to people will be non-existent,” he said.

“He’s going to have to find some strength he’s never had before.”

Mr Brear hoped Ovens and Murray fans helped keep Fevola on the show.

“He was real good in a lot of areas for our footy club,” he said.

“He just needs people to vote for him now to see out the six weeks.

“Ovens and Murray fans got a lot of fun out of him in the four years he was here so hopefully they support him.”

Fevola was the eighth of the 12 celebrities unveiled.

Cricket legend Shane Warne, international DJ Havana Brown, singer Anthony Callea and former NRL star Paul Harragon are among the contestants.

“I don’t like snakes, don’t like big cats, not real fond of spiders and I hate mosquitoes, so … I’m going to be really good,” Fevola said.

“I’m a bit scared.”