The 22-year-old played alongside Western Bulldogs’ premiership players Jason Johannisen and Clay Smith in Footscray’s 2014 flag.

He played 24 games in two years, but has spent the past two with Essendon Doutta Stars.

“I was doing full-time work with my carpentry and it ended up just getting too much, juggling work and footy together at VFL level, so I thought I’d focus on work,” Jensen said.

The Pies lost three members of their outstanding four-pronged forward line after last year’s shock grand final win over Albury.

Former AFL player Speight joined Bacchus Marsh, Josh Porter is back at VFL, although he played in the Pies’ 22-point win over Lavington on Saturday night, while Tom Whittlesea is playing seniors at South Adelaide.

“We’re not overly concerned about not having big, tall players,” coach Dean Stone said.

“We just need players that are very comfortable in that area of the ground and got the smarts around the forward area and Mitch certainly has that.”

At 187cm and 79kg, Jensen is slightly taller than the mercurial Speight, who landed two booming goals from around 50m in the grand final.

“After the loss of Speight, I’ll try and cover his role .. whatever the teams needs,” Jensen said.

“I try and use my pace and try to out-run some opponents, get the ball on the outside and give a bit of run and carry.”

Jensen will also provide another rotation through the midfield.

He played with Pies’ siblings Mark and Jamie Anderson at Doutta and is hoping his clearance will be accepted by Saturday’s blockbuster against Albury.

Stone says injured duo Ben Douthie (rib) and Craig Evans (calf) are doubtful for the Albury Sportsground clash.