Whyte arrived at the Farrer League's final training session concerned about a hamstring issue after feeling them tighten up late in a Carroll Cup game on Wednesday night and the Marrar teenager was unable to complete the session.

Sullivan is a shock selection to start in a back pocket after playing his first game of the season only last week.

Completing a preparation littered by injury and unavailability, he was one of few options available to coach Brad Aiken from the initial squads of more than 40 players to draw from.

"He was on the original list but just wasn't in the side just because he hasn't played much footy," Aiken said.

"But at this late notice, he's the one to come in and he'll be able to do a job for us in a back pocket."

Aiken said he has full faith in Barellan's Shaun Bourchier to move from a pocket to start at full-back in Whyte's place while East Wagga-Kooringal centre-half-back Nic Curran also gives them options.

"I spoke to Shaun after training and he's keen for the opportunity to play full-back," Aiken said.

"As bad as (Whyte's withdrawal) seems, it's not a ruckman or centre-half-forward. 'Bouch' will do a more than adequate job and he's been terrific right through (the rep preparation.

"And young 'Curro'. I think he'll thrive on the opportunity to see how he goes in a better standard of footy. He's keen to do better with his footy and he's one bloke who when he was called in, he was so excited to represent the league.

"It's a shame a few more blokes aren't like that."

But Aiken maintains the side he has selected will do the league proud at Osborne.

"I said to the boys, it's probably the easiest team I've ever had to select. They chose it for me. I know they all want to be there. They're all committed. They trained pretty well last night," he said.

"In a short amount of time, you can't do a lot of structural work but we'll trust them knowing their games and their game sense to take over."

Despite the build-up being as much about who's not available as who is, Aiken said it's a talented squad driven to restore a reputation which took a battering at the hands of Riverina League last year.

"Whether we win, lose or draw doesn't interest me. I just want us to be competitive, to put up a better showing than last year and to show that the Farrer League is competitive and does want to be a part of the rep scene," he said.

"We want to put some pride in the league.

"As Mitch Haddrill said to our midfield group at training, last year was embarrassing for the league and he had a burning desire to play and to try to bring some credibility back into the Farrer League. That's a driving force for him this year."

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