Lavington's bowling stocks have taken a massive hit before a ball has been bowled with paceman Dave Tassell being ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
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Tassell ruptured his ACL playing football for Holbrook's reserves in the first week of the Hume league finals series.
He will undergo surgery on Monday.
"I was out for six weeks with an ankle injury prior to that and decided to come back and play a game in the twos in the finals," Tassell said.
"It was fairly innocuous.
"I didn't think it was going to be an ACL, I thought it was going to be a little medial strain.
"I was going to see a specialist for my ankle anyway and asked him to check out my knee while I was there.
"He's done the Lachman test and just said: 'It's not good man, you've done your ACL'.
"I couldn't believe it."
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Tassell grabbed 40 wickets at 14.33 for Lavington last season, forming a lethal attack with fellow quicks Ryan and Nathan Brown and Tuffey.
The representative player said he wanted the surgery as soon as possible.
"Monday is good because it means I can get back for round one next season," he said.
"We've just started building a new house as well and might get the keys next week so it will get me out of moving which is good."
Tassell is coming off a career-best season after crossing from Albury with the former Temora player set to stay involved with the Panthers in some capacity.
Lavington coach Daryl Tuffey, who retired at the end of last season, said injuries and departures would present opportunities for other players.
All-rounder Nathan Brown suffered a shoulder injury playing football for Rand-Walbundrie-Walla but bowled in the nets this week and should be available for the season opener.
Premiership player Brett Davies has joined East Albury.
"You can't replace Dave, he's a quality player," Tuffey said.
"We have a lot of bowlers who can step up though.
"We will play some trial games and have a good look."
Darcy I'Anson and Brad Dalbosco are options to bowl more overs while Jayden Wright and Rory Jenkins could press up from second grade.
"Rory had a taste last year against East Albury in the Twenty20 in tough conditions against Kris Milosta when he was batting well on a small ground," Tuffey said.
"He's one we will look at and Jayden Wright has played first grade as well.
"We will look at slower options as well."
The season kicks off on Saturday, October 12, with Twenty20 matches.
