North Ballarat adds former Hawk Denver Grainger-Barras for a couple of games

He was a high draft pick at an AFL club on the rise, but this former Hawk is now a Rooster in the Ballarat league ... at least for the time being.

Denver Grainger-Barras has played for North Ballarat in the early part of the new Ballarat league season. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

North Ballarat coach Clint Proctor isn’t expecting to have former Hawthorn player Denver Grainger-Barras around for much longer but he’s been a welcome addition to the squad.

The former top-10 pick made his debut for the Roosters last Saturday in the side’s draw against Ballarat in the Ballarat league and has been named to take on East Point this weekend at Mars Stadium.

The former Hawk, who was delisted last year after 28 games, is signed to Carlton’s VFL list for this year.

Denver Grainger-Barras has joined Carlton’s VFL list for this season. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Proctor revealed an interruption in his pre-season gave him the opportunity to play.

“He had to head home about a month ago and had to spend some time back in Perth,” he said.

“With that he missed a chunk of pre-season with Carlton.

“He needed some conditioning and some match practice.

“He didn’t have a feeder club and I coached him in previous years at Box Hill so that’s how it came about.”

Proctor expects him to head back to Carlton after Easter and play for the Blues for the rest of the season.

But the former Box Hill coach said the key position player had helped the Roosters through an injury crisis with at least 10 players unavailable in the opening few rounds.

“I started him up forward (last week) but unfortunately he got a knock to his ankle so he didn’t get to see much of the play,” he said.

“It’s a bit sore still but full credit to his character he’s doing his best to get up and play.

“We’ll play him down back I suggest on one of East’s key players.”

North Ballarat takes on East Point at 2.15pm.