Wangaratta Rovers’ ruckman Shane Gaston is uncertain how long he will miss after he injured his shoulder in a sling tackle by Wodonga Raiders’ Daniel Bond.

Bond was charged with rough conduct on Monday and has until 10am Tuesday to accept a two-match ban.

“I’ll find out in the next couple of days, the AC’s (joint) not looking too good,” he said.

It will rule the 29-year-old out of selection for Saturday’s rep clash.

UNLUCKY RUN

It’s now the second successive year injury has forced Gaston out at rep time, which has frustrated the passionate interleague player.

Meanwhile, the league’s top ruckman says his VFL selection last week won’t necessarily stop him from tackling Western Region.

“I’m so reliant on what’s happening at AFL level, it’s something out of my control,” Yarrawonga big man Lach Howe said.

Howe replaced former Albury and Jindera ruckman Max Lynch for the game against Geelong after he injured his ankle.

DALY GRIND

Could a 30-year-old rookie make his rep debut?

Luke Daly has shown his versatility, starring in defence against Wodonga Raiders in round two and then booting seven goals against Corowa-Rutherglen on Saturday.

“If the coaching staff think I’m good enough, I’d definitely play, it’s something I’d cherish if it did happen,” the Tigers’ skipper said.

Daly was quizzed if he was in his best recent form.

“Yeah, I think so, I’m enjoying it … with the kids we’ve got in our team, it rejuvenates you a bit.”

NO GAME, LET’S TRAIN

Both Lavington and North Albury were training within minutes of Saturday’s game being abandoned following Matt Pendergast’s injury.

North returned quickly to Bunton Park.

“The reason for that us is our lights are absolutely terrible and it’s really hard for us to train under lights,” co-coach Clint Gilson said.

“That’s why we train at 5.30pm, just to try and get some (natural) light.

“Also, we have this week off (playing), so we wanted to make sure we don’t have one quarter of footy in three weeks.”

PIGEONS’ PLANNING

Jess Koopman has bounced back to near his best form.

The classy forward kicked six goals to feature in the best against Myrtleford on Saturday and that followed being named in the top six against Wangaratta Rovers.

“We’re trying to play him in different roles at the moment,” coach Damian Sexton said.

“I don’t think you can, at that age, just be targeted as a small forward.

“I’m a big believer you’ve got to play in two of the three areas, Mark Whiley can play in three of them.”

STONE COLD

Wangaratta coach Dean Stone admits he’s worried by the league’s lopsided nature.

“Yeah it does, it worries me for the broader competition,” he said.

“There are times when clubs go through cycles for whatever reasons, they lose a few.

“It’s probably as badly lopsided as I’ve seen for quite a while, it’s sad and I certainly don’t say that with any arrogance (the Pies won last year’s flag), it’s tough to retain players.”

Meanwhile, Stone says all his interleague squad players are available.