Rooke will play for the Eagles, who informed Football Geelong yesterday that the former Cats hardman would be a late inclusion for today's game against Leopold.
The 30-year-old, who has not played a game since chronic knee problems forced his premature retirement from AFL at the end of 2010 season, was assistant coach at Newtown last year and is this year the assistant coach of Geelong's VFL team.
The Cats played against Werribee in the VFL last night, leaving him free to play today.
Eagles coach Jacob Spolding said Rooke had been training twice a week for the last six weeks and was "ready to go".
"His body is going pretty well," Spolding said. "Obviously our connection with Max last year was a big reason for getting Brad (Ottens) here. They planned to play a few games together and fortunately for us that is in the Newtown colours."
Ottens and another former Cat, Ryan Gamble, made their debuts for Newtown & Chilwell last Saturday but they failed to get their team over the line against league giant South Barwon.
Ottens kicked three goals and his presence helped draw a huge crowd to McDonald Reserve, however there are strong doubts on whether the former Cat will play today.
"Just to have these guys involved is fantastic for community football," Spolding said. "Obviously, it is high quality football anyway and then people want to get along and watch these guys running around."
Spolding hoped the addition of Rooke would lift the Eagles to their first win of the year today against the emerging Lions.
"They are obviously a good side," Spolding said of Leopold. "They won last week against St Albans and they have some high quality inclusions this week, so it will be a big test for us."
Leopold will be boosted by the inclusion of VFL players Jason Tom and Jye Bolton, who will not be required by Werribee this weekend.
Tom, who kicked a century of goals with Geelong Amateur in the BFL last year, has returned to Leopold but is also a signed player with the Tigers at VFL level.
Leopold coach Steve Clark said the club hoped both Tom and Bolton, who was delisted by Collingwood at the end of last season, could be available for five to six games throughout the year.
"It depends on when they are available with the byes in the VFL and when they are required by Werribee in the ones or the twos," Clark said.
The Lions got off to the ideal start last weekend with a five goal win over St Albans.
Clark said he had just 17 fit players after half-time and had to heavily rotate in the hot weather.
"We were really, really happy internally that we were able to keep the lead after half-time under the circumstances," he said. "We lost our structure a little bit, but we dug in deep and that was the most pleasing thing."
Clark added that his team was "really excited" about the prospect of taking on the high-profile Eagles.
"We can't wait to have a crack at them, to be honest," he said. "We are really comfortable with our structures and sets ups and when we do it, I honestly think we can match it with anyone."
Last Modified on 07/01/2013 13:41