The HDFNL is coming off two heavy defeats at inter-league level.

In 2016 the league lost by 80 points to Bellarine at Ocean Grove, while last year at the QEO it went down by 43 points to Central Murray.

Carter basically coached the HDFNL squad last year after appointed coach Dean Laidley didn't arrive at the ground until the third quarter because of other coaching commitments in Melbourne.

Carter said this year's HDFNL squad was committed to the inter-league cause.

"The approach we took was to get players that were interested in playing inter-league footy,'' Carter said.

"Going into the last training session we had 30-odd names to pick the side from, so it was a good problem to have. We've lost a few guys last minute to injuries, but we think we've got a good mix of experience and younger guys.

"The continuity from year-to-year has been important.

"Having (assistant coaches) Matt Hawken and Matt Sawyer involved and adding Grant Weeks to the coaching group... the relationships those guys have with clubs and the respect their held in made sure we had a better group of players to choose from.

"Did we have the best 22 players in the HDFNL to pick from? No, you don't get that at any league. What we have is a committed group of players to take to Geelong."

It's the third time in nine years the HDFNL and Geelong District have met at inter-league level. In 2010 at Bell Post Hill, Geelong District won by 39 points, while two years later at the QEO the HDFNL won by 28 points.

"Geelong footy generally has smaller grounds, so we're expecting some tough, in-tight footy,'' Carter said.

"It's important for us to win stoppages, but we know that they have some good running players as well.

"The Geelong District league has a good group of players to pick from, so we know it's going to be a great challenge.

"We'll have team rules and structures that we'll sign up to, but we'll rely heavily on our leaders and players to dictate terms on the ground."

Carter has been impressed with the camaraderie in the group and he expected that to play a big part on Saturday.

"We're going to Geelong to represent the league and earn respect first and foremost,'' Carter said.

"We want to develop ourselves and learn from each other and, thirdly, have some fun while we do it. You don't have much time to organise things, so you rely on the want and the energy of the playing group. I'm confident that we have a group that wants to be there for the right reasons."

HDFNL –  B: Logan Prout, Dale Young, Stephen Kairn. Hb: Aaryn Craig, Ryan Prendergast, Daniel Hill. C: Liam Main, Ryan Semmel, Tyson Findlay. Hf: Nick Knight, Jarod Bacon, Daniel Coates. F: Sean Morris, Hadleigh Sirett, Matt Perri. Foll:  Jack Hayes, Jeremy Mills, Jarrod Findlay. Inter: Jack Gleeson, Hoby Bussey, Zeik Johnston, Rhys Irwin, Mitchell McEvoy.