While both teams have a host of big names unavailable for Saturday's interleague clash, including former GWS defender Sam Reid (GV) and O and M Morris medallist Callum Moore, the latter certainly dominated the publicity stakes over summer with a host of profile signings, including Yarrawonga's ex-Carlton small forward Michael Gibbons.

"We don't have the top echelon of players that the Ovens and Murray have," Newman remarked.

Despite that, the home league has a stack of class, particularly in defence with Ben Reid, Jack Hutchins and Lachie Smith, while Chris Nield leads the goalkicking with 28 after seven games.

Newman also adopted a different selection format.

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"Rather than the commitment of naming a large squad, I wanted to give a commitment to the guys by putting them in the team."

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