Hosking has been out of action since 2016, after he tore the ACL in his left knee during a round four match, leading to surgery.

Now he has been listed in the senior team after the Rats suffered several injuries during the Good Friday game against the Stawell Warriors.

Adam Haslett (ankle), Tyler Cronin (hamstring) and Dylan Shelley (neck) all sat out after half-time.

"We'll have a fair few personnel changes - probably up to six," Rats coach Shane Fisher said.

"We just have to get the chemistry right and I'm sure we can do that because the boys in the reserves have been playing some good footy.

"We've got four injuries, Jayden Wright will go back to the Rebels, and we've got the unavailabilities."

Recovery prior to the 2019 season has been slow for Hosking, who had to undergo surgery.

"I had a knee reconstruction in 2016," he said.

"I have (also) had hamstring problems after that.

"I had a year of gym work, exercises in the pool and you slowly work back into it with running and other stuff."

When he sustained the injury, Hosking had been playing senior football for three years and is no stranger to the Rats.

"I played all my juniors there, had one year in the reserves and then in the seniors," he said.

Hosking said the prospect of being part of the Rats' current winning streak, and helping them take it all the way to the premiership, was fantastic after missing out on the Rats' 2018 success.

"It was really frustrating," he said. "Last year, seeing how successful we became, you want to be a part of it.

"I think it's pretty exciting, the direction we're heading in, and if I could be a part of that, I'd love it. If not, I want the best for the team."

But as the game approaches, Hosking said he was fighting nerves.

"I'm probably just as nervous as my first game I guess," he said.

Nonetheless, Hosking's hopes are high.

"Two for two is always good," he said. "Obviously there were a few injuries last week but we have a lot of depth this season, so we'll just have to draw on that I guess."

Fisher said he has "a lot of faith in the boys" for the upcoming game.

"I respect them a hell of a lot up at Nhill, especially at their home game," he said. "If we pull together we can make sure we get a victory."

The senior game will kick off at 2.20pm against Nhill at Nhill.

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