Godde, a qualified carpenter, has accepted an initial four-week swing at Karratha mines in Western Australia.

The dangerous forward joined the Bulldogs as an assistant coach from North Albury in one of the biggest signings in the Tallangatta league over the summer.

He leaves for Western Australia today and is uncertain exactly how many games he will miss.

“I’m going over there for a least one four-week swing,” Godde said.

“I will just take it as it comes, I have got one swing at the moment but it could stretch out to two at the most.

“I just want to get my induction and a foot in the door so I can get more work off them further down the track.”

Godde was one of the Ovens and Murray’s star performers in the first half of last season, booting 26 goals for North Albury in the opening nine rounds.

The fiery forward was among the league’s top-five goalkickers at the halfway mark of the season before injury niggles slowed him.

Godde has since been diagnosed with osteitis pubis and has been on a limited training program over the pre-season.

“I was going to miss the first couple of games, anyway, as I’m still recovering from a bout of osteitis pubis,” he said.

“So having a delayed start to the season will probably help me out more than anything.

“I have been down to Melbourne on a few occasions to see Essendon club doctor Bruce Reid.

“He has got me on a strengthening program for my hips and groin and I’m still only allowed to run in straight lines at the moment.”

The news takes some gloss off the Bulldogs’ productive off-season after also signing North Albury livewire Kade Brown, Albury forward Sam Cross and Lavington’s Kane Westlow.

Thurgoona will start the season as one of the flag favourites and chasing its maiden flag since joining the Tallangatta league in 1988.

Thurgoona played in the grand final in 2011 and 2012 but suffered a disappointing straight sets finals exit last year after finishing third with a 13-5 record.