Gestier, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament on debut for the Panthers in round one, is working on the family farm near Wagga and set to play in the Riverina league next season.

The 26-year-old told the Panthers of his decision late last week.

“It wasn’t the easiest thing telling the club because this season obviously didn’t go the way we planned, but after sitting down and thinking about it I think it’s the best thing heading forward,” Gestier said.

“I wanted to get back on the farm and travelling is never easy.

“It’s disappointing I didn’t get to have a good crack at it but that’s the way it panned out.”

Gestier joined Lavington from Corowa-Rutherglen this year and shaped as a big part of coach James Saker’s premiership plans.

But disaster struck in the second quarter of the season opener against Albury at Lavington Oval when his knee buckled under him.

Gestier said his playing future was up in the air for next season.

“I have been back working on the farm for the past six weeks and it will depend on how my knee comes up,” he said.

“There are a few things in the pipeline but nothing is in place.”

Gestier played his junior football for Turvey Park before switching to rivals Wagga Tigers as a 16-year-old.

His last match for Tigers was the 2008 preliminary final.

Gestier played for Corowa-Rutherglen in 2014 and 2015 after a stint with Rochester.

Meanwhile, Albury star Joel Mackie will challenge a striking charge at the Ovens and Murray tribunal on Wednesday.

Mackie was booked following an incident involving Wodonga Raider Connor Newnham during the second quarter of the weekend’s clash at Birallee Park.