Former 200 game Magpies Tarkyn Lockyer and Shane Wakelin will exchange the Sherrin for a tennis racquet when they represent Collingwood in the 2011 Battle of the Codes on Saturday.

The pair will join other sporting teams across Victoria at Melbourne Park, with the tournament beginning at 1:00 pm.

Lockyer, the club’s current VFL coach, is quick to downplay his tennis prowess but is considered one of the better Magpies at the caper.

“I played a bit when I was a kid back in Albany,” he says.

“I bashed around a fair bit back there and played a few tournaments here and there and did ok, but certainly didn’t look like cracking it on the ATP tour, that’s for sure”.

The 227 gamer idolised duel Australian Open champion Pete Sampras and currently admires Swiss champion Roger Federer.

“I like the way Roger Federer hits the ball, as most people would. Just for someone to have the talent and then to match that with the want and the self belief and to get the best out of himself is just terrific.”

Wakelin’s another who has shown a bit of form on the tennis court according to Lockyer, although the same can’t be said for the club’s new senior coach.

“Bucks (Nathan Buckley) has always said that he’s the best, but he’s not much chop!”

“Wakes is not too bad. He’s a bit of a serve-volleyer. He also thinks that he looks a bit like Pat Rafter and rates himself to play a bit like him as well. He’s not bad.

“I’m sure he’ll hold his own and drag me through.”

Entry on Saturday is free, with the winner to be crowned the 2011 championship team of Melbourne Park.