A dead man found in a barrel in rural Victoria had amphetamine and possibly GHB in his system, two broken ribs and a "liquefied" brain, a court has been told.

The remains of David Whimpey, 30, were found in April at a Mia Mia property, six months after he disappeared.

Brendan Abela, 31, and Brendan Stanley, 46, have been charged with murdering the Albanvale man at Hoppers Crossing on October 24, 2016.

David Whimpey's body was found near Lake Eppalock.

Mr Whimpey was last seen near a hotel at Keilor about 10pm, and his body was eventually found some 100 kilometres away.