BENDIGO inter-league coach Darryl Wilson has labelled the versatility of his team its greatest strength ahead of Saturday's clash against Outer East.

The Blue and Gold will take on the newly-formed Outer East at the QEO in the 9^th v 10^th ranking game of the AFL Victoria Community Championships.

Bendigo has finalised its team of 24, with South Bendigo forward Kaiden Antonowicz and Kangaroo Flat midfielder Jono Lanyon the two emergencies, while Sandhurst's Andrew Collins (calf) and Gisborne's Trent Crosbie (thigh) were ruled out earlier in the week.

The exclusion of Antonowicz - last year's Ron Best medallist - highlights the strength of Bendigo's forward line that boasts five key targets in Lachlan Sharp, Pat McKenna, Jayden Burke, Jack Scanlon and Hugh Robertson.

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"Certainly Kaiden and Jono are very stiff to miss out, but you can't fit everyone in," Bendigo coach Darryl Wilson said on Thursday night.

"We think the key strength of the side is the majority of the group can play a variety of roles. You've probably only got Sharpy and the two ruckmen (Callum Crisp and Harry Crone) who are really restricted to the one spot.

"Having said that, I'd back Sharpy to be able to have an impact up the ground anyway."

Bendigo's team of 24 includes 16 players who will pull on the Blue and Gold at senior level for the first time - Josh Govan, Harrison Huntley, Jake Pallpratt, Liam Barrett, Bryce Curnow, Nathan Horbury, Sam Heavyside, Hugh Robertson, Pat McKenna, Jack Scanlon, Callum Crisp, Matt Goodyear, Bailey Henderson, Alex Marklew, Harry Crone and Jake O'Brien.

"We think we've got the ability to rotate heavily and see if Outer East can match us up and keep the pedal down with our pace," said Wilson, who is coaching Bendigo for the first time.

"We want to play with speed, but will be happy with a bit of ugly footy inside 50 because of what we've got at ground level."

With Rhys Magin, Goodyear and McKenna selected, Bendigo's team, captained by Jack Geary, features three players who have previously been on AFL lists.

SENIOR FOOTBALL, 2.15pm Saturday:

BENDIGO

B: J. Govan, H. Huntley, J. Pallpratt

HB: L. Barrett, B. Curnow, N. Horbury

C: R. Magin, B. Collins, A. Baird

HF: S. Heavyside, H. Robertson, P. McKenna

F: L. Sharp, J. Scanlon, J. Burke

R: C. Crisp, M. Goodyear, J. Geary

INTER: B. McPhee, B. Henderson, A. Marklew, H. Crone, J. Thrum, J. O'Brien

EMERG: K. Anotonowicz, J. Lanyon

OUTER EAST

H. Smith, T. Thomas, J. Roe-Duggan, R. Verbi, P. Bruzese, L. Batten, R. Quirk, A. SMith, M. Hottes, H. Money, L. Bee-Hugo, T. Gunn, Z. Monkhorst, K. Dickson, J. Griffiths, R. Jones, L. Taylor, J. West, W. Arthurson, D. Bass, G. Osborne, P. Hodgett, M. Clarke, R. Bromley, B. Osborne, A. Vella, C. Ellison, M. Wenn

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