McAdam becomes the second former AFL player recruited to the Bendigo region mid-season, after The Advertiser revealed yesterday that All-Australian and Sydney premiership player Paul Williams had been signed by Kangaroo Flat.

The Bulldogs are hardly in need of such a potent injection of talent, considering their position one game clear on top of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football League ladder.

But coach Shane Gilchrist lauded McAdam’s signing as a move that would drastically improve the side’s depth and allow Bulldog pups a chance to further develop under the watchful eye of the 111-game player.

Gilchrist said journeyman full-forward Matthew Chilcott was good friends with McAdam and had coaxed the skilful 41-year-old out of retirement.

McAdam last night represented the All Stars in the EJ Whitten Legends game and will play against Inglewood on Saturday - should he recover well from his first match in more than a year.

"It all depends how he pulls up, but hopefully he’ll play this week," Gilchrist said.

"He’ll come to the club with a lot of knowledge for everyone there with the experience that he’s got, and the advice that he can hand to the young blokes will pay dividends for us.

"From what Matty (Chilcott) said he’s still in very good nick and his role will probably be through the midfield, but you could probably play him wherever.

"(Off-field) we’re looking at obviously getting him to come across to some training nights and give him the reins to pass on some knowledge and help us with our footy."

McAdam won the Magarey Medal in 1989 as the best and fairest player in the SANFL with Central Districts, before being recruited by St Kilda.

One of three brothers to play AFL, McAdam finished his career with Brisbane in 1996.

"We’ve been travelling okay, but where he’s going to be good for us is that we’ve been turning the ball over a lot recently, whereas if it’s in his hands we probably won’t be doing that as much, which is a bonus," Gilchrist said.

Gisborne will welcome back 2006 Nalder medallist Ryan Webster into the side after the dashing half-back flanker returned from a stint in Northern Queensland.

Coach Marcus Barham said yesterday the club would welcome the addition of the former Perth player as they attempt to again challenge the top three in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football League.