Gaston, who has blossomed from Ovens and Murray fringe player to SANFL squad member in only 12 months, had hip surgery late last week but that didn’t stop South Adelaide from offering the 21-year-old a spot on its list.

Panthers football manager Neill Sharpe said Gaston had impressed at preseason training before his hip surgery, and rated Gaston a good chance to play senior football this year.

“He’s injured at the moment ... which will keep him from training for at least four or five weeks,” Sharpe said.

“But prior to Christmas he was looking really good — he’s a great athlete, he’s tall and rangy and we don’t have too many those at the club.

“He could play as a tall at either end of the ground, and he’s so athletic he could even play on a wing ... we’ll wait and see how he progresses (after his injury).

“There’s no reason he can’t play senior football for us this year.”

Gaston is close friends with South Adelaide’s Anthony Carlile, brother of Port Power backman Alipate, and joins fellow former O and M players Lee Schmidt (Corowa-Rutherglen) and Sam Livingstone (Wodonga Raiders), as well as former Murray Bushrangers captain Kade Klemke, at the Panthers.

Gaston said he was excited by the challenge of playing at a higher level, but had to concentrate on getting his body right.

“It (the surgery) is definitely a bit of a hiccup — I tore a ligament in my hip and the surgeons think it could be three months until I’m 100 per cent,” he said.

“But hopefully I should be right again early in the season.

“It’s a great opportunity, hopefully I can improve as a footballer and give it a real crack once I’m up and running again.”

Wangaratta Rovers coach Matt Allen said the loss of Gaston was disappointing but the club supported his decision.

“We wish Shane all the best — you can’t blame a young bloke going elsewhere to improve their footy,” he said.

“Of course we’re disappointed to lose a player like him but hopefully he comes back to the club later in his career.”

Offsetting Gaston’s departure is news former Hawk Jesse Silver has returned to W.J. Findlay Oval.