After all the talk and all the hype, Sam Kerridge and Jed Lamb just want to play footy.
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The former Carlton duo will pull on the White Hills jumper for the first time on Saturday as the Demons host Lockington-Bamawm United in the HDFNL season-opener.
The arrival of Kerridge and Lamb has sparked unprecedented interest in the Demons.
The club's first night match is expected to draw a record home and away crowd to the Scott Street venue.
"I can't thank the footy club enough for opening its arms and welcoming Jed and I to the club,'' Demons' coach Kerridge said.
"It's been refreshing to jump in the car each week and drive up the Calder to run around with the boys.
"We're really enjoying our country footy."
Kerridge and Lamb sat back and watched their former Carlton team-mates on TV in the opening two rounds of the AFL season.
Kerridge said it wasn't easy to watch.
"It has been tough. I'd love to be out there and at our age we'd like to think we could still contribute at that level,'' he said.
"You get itchy feet watching those boys run around.
"The reality is we're not there anymore and we're committed to the White Hills Football Club.
"We can't wait to get stuck into it on Saturday night."
The clash with the LBU Cats will be a homecoming of sorts for Lamb.
For the first time in the best part of a decade he'll play in the same side as his brother Zeke.
"It's going to be great to play with Zeke again,'' Lamb said.
"We've got the family coming up from Melbourne to watch the game which will be fun."
Lamb showed his class in an intra-club practice match last week.
Insiders at the club say Lamb bagged nine goals playing as a midfielder.
He wasn't so sure.
"I had a few shots at goal, but I'm not sure if nine is right,'' he said.
"Hopefully, I can kick a few snags on Saturday night."
Related: HDFNL season preview
The Cats will be no pushover for the Demons.
They made great inroads last year with their young list and have added depth through the middle of the ground this year.
Both sides are expected to challenge for a top three berth.
"The league has been awesome in putting this stand alone fixture together,'' Kerridge said.
"A young up-and-coming side like Lockington against our unknown side, under lights... in front of a big crowd.
"It should be a great night."
Saturday night's game starts at 5.45pm.
White Hills
B: B. Johnson, A. Bigham, J. Hopkins. Hb: R. Irwin, D. Spear, J. Avery. C: Z. Lamb, S. Kerridge, K. Gellatly. Hf: G. Bowles, K. Bedford, D. Nihill. F: M. Dole, P. Craig, J. Allport. Foll: J. Maher, J. Lamb, D. Wright. Inter: (from) J. Stewart, C. Bowyer, D. Bowles, B. Nalder, B. Vaughan-Spruce, M. Roberts
LBU
B: L. Collins, P. Gardiner, L. Egglestone. Hb: J. Bacon, T. Leech, J. Gardiner. C: L. Main, N. Bacon, N. O'Brien. Hf: J. Mundie, R. Woodland, J. Wolfe. F: M. Angove, J. Gibbs, B. Phillips. Foll: T. Phillips, Z. Johnston, F. Monahan. Inter: G. Broad, T. Eade, G. Giddings, C, Hinks.
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