But a niggling knee injury and his recovery from concussion suffered during a seven-goal game against Dimboola on Saturday stand in the way of Tuckey making his Big W debut.

Tuckey, 28, who plays for Stawell, said he would be doing all that he possibly could to be involved in his home carnival.

"Provided that my knee comes up I will definitely be out there," Tuckey said.

"I actually got concussion as well on Saturday, after an accidental knock from the Dimboola ruckman, but I have been really looking forward to this and will be doing what I can."

Tuckey missed last year's 40-point interleague win against Western Border after sustaining a groin injury before the match.

Tuckey said he had carried the knee complaint into the season which was a result of running on hard surfaces in the pre-season.

If Tuckey was to be ruled out it would be a major blow after Dimboola key position player Peter MacFarlane sustained a knee injury against Stawell on Saturday.

MacFarlane, who shared last year's Toohey Medal with Tuckey, has been ruled out of the Big W campaign because of the injury.

Dimboola coach Matt Everett said the club was unsure of the extent of the damage.

"We will have to wait and see, but the week off will certainly help him," Everett said.

He said MacFarlane had full movement in his knee, but it had felt weak.

Joining MacFarlane on the Big W sidelines will be Ararat's Dale Bligh who has a hamstring strain, Nhill's Ben Fritsch who is ineligible because of his contract with North Ballarat, and Dimboola's Karl Lohde and Minyip- Murtoa's Scott Smith who have other commitments.

Ararat's Ben Harrison, Nhill's Jarryd Graham and Horsham United's Tim Wade have been drafted into the training squad.

•The Mail-Times will run a special guide to the Wimmera and Horsham District interleague campaigns in Friday's edition.