CONFIDENT: BFNL coach Brett Fitzpatrick.

Another injury to a key midfielder has done little to quell BFNL coach Brett Fitzpatrick's confidence leading into Saturday's inter-league battle with Hampden in Warrnambool.

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Kangaroo Flat centreman Jonathan Lanyon is out of the BFNL squad because of hamstring soreness. He has been replaced by Eaglehawk big man Jonty Neaves.

Lanyon's withdrawal comes 48 hours after Sandhurst star Andrew Collins pulled out because of a quadricep injury.

"As disappointing as it is to lose a couple of key midfielders, it hasn't really left a big hole in our side,'' Fitzpatrick said.

"The depth of what is still there (in the midfield) can't be questioned. It gives another opportunity for someone who wouldn't normally be seen on the same pedestal as Collins to step up."

Fitzpatrick said he didn't contemplate bringing in an extra midfielder to replace Lanyon.

"Jonty has been part of the group and we're keen to stick with him,'' Fitzpatrick said.

"He gives us more flexibility because he's so mobile. He can play in the ruck if we want to stretch them for height and use (Kieran) Strachan and/or (Matt) Compston forward.

"He can play forward himself or even down back."

KEY ROLE: Sandhurst's Codie Price will set up plenty of the BFNL's attacking moves off half-back.

The Hampden versus Bendigo game is the ninth versus tenth match in the AFL Victoria Community Championships rankings.

The winner will advance to eighth in the rankings, while the loser will drop to the 11th versus 12th match in 2019.

Bendigo defeated Gippsland in the 11th versus 12th match in 2016 before narrowly losing to Ballarat last year.

"The warning bells are there because Gippsland have dropped down further now,'' Fitzpatrick said.

"The leagues on the perimeter of Melbourne are getting stronger and stronger and that's making it harder for the country leagues.

"This game is a great opportunity for us to get back to that seventh versus eighth bracket. Inside that top eight is three metropolitan leagues, so you could say we'd be in the top four or five country leagues.

"We don't go on about that (rankings) continuously with the players, but there is a recognition that we are representing the league, the affiliated clubs and the league's long-standing place in inter-league football.

"There is a great sense of pride."

VERSATILE: Isaiah Miller could play through the midfield or across half-back.

Young key defenders Pat McCarthy and Jack Reaper have no experience at inter-league level, but Fitzpatrick has great faith in their ability.

"Pat and Jack have had great years with their own club and if they continue with that application then I have no doubt they'll handle the step up,'' Fitzpatrick said.

"Tyler Miles and Codie Price have played down back at inter-league level for a few years now and they'll be there to help the young players out.

"Jake Moorhead has played well down back and we could even use Jack Geary off half-back. I have no qualms with our back six at all."

Reid Oval in Warrnambool is renowned for its open spaces and Hampden, coached by Brisbane Lions great Jonathan Brown, has picked its side around trying to match Bendigo's outside running ability.

Hampden's strength is inside forward 50 where star centre half-forward Sam Cowling, athletic former North Ballarat Rooster Jarrod Korewha, former Adelaide Crow Tim McIntyre and the diminutive Luke Crane have the ability to tear a game apart.