TRENT Castles is set to make his highly-anticipated debut for Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes on Saturday.
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The prolific goalkicker missed last week's victory over Osborne despite Albury based players being given the green light to play by the AFL Riverina board.
Castles said he will train with his new teammates for the first time on Thursday night ahead of the Goannas clash with Turvey Park at Maher Oval.
"The coach (Jeremy Rowe) rang me last Friday and wanted me to play against Osborne," Castles said.
"But I hadn't trained with them and I didn't feel comfortable taking somebody's spot. So I said I will give it a miss, train this week and play on Saturday."
Castles said he was itching to play and looked forward to crossing paths with the other Albury based players.
"Now that the Albury based players are allowed to play it has added a bit of spice into the competition," he said.
"I don't really know much about all the other players so it's a bit of an unknown for me.
"In the O&M and Tallangatta league you have a fair idea who your opponent is going to be each week.
"But I've got no idea in this competition.
"The unknown appeals to me, even getting to know my new teammates.
"It will be a challenge but I'm looking forward to it."
Castles is set to provide the Goannas with another attacking option alongside talented tall George Kendall.
Kendall caused Osborne's defence plenty of headaches last weekend and capped a polished display with four goals.
Meanwhile Castles said he will wait to see who replaces Marc Almond as coach of Corowa-Rutherglen before committing to another season at the John Foord Oval.
"I'm more than happy to remain at Corowa but it will depend on the coach," he said.
"I'm just hoping the club can find someone that can continue the good work Marc has done.
"I know coaches are ultimately judged on their win-loss records.
"But it can't be underestimated what Marc has done behind the scenes to set the club up for future success.
"I think people are quick to forget before he was appointed the club was on a 38-match losing streak.
"So the club was coming from a long way back."
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