The 34-year-old Belconnen stalwart suffered the horrific injury, including snapping his left tibia and fibula, just a few minutes into the clash at Mangoplah.

York was set to be part of potentially one of the most dangerous forward lines the Riverina League has seen alongside goal machine Trent Castles and young gun George Kendall.

His leg got stuck under a Holbrook defender and the match was delayed for some time as medicos tended to his injury.

"I did a good job of it," York said on Sunday.

"My foot got caught in the ground and the defender put his weight on top of me and my foot went the wrong way.

"I was looking forward to playing country footy for the first time, but I still hope to help out in the coach's box, I'll still be a part of it.

"It's up to George and Trent now to kick all the goals, but they'll be right. They're two of the best forwards in the comp and we've got some good young small forwards."

York said he was unsure whether he will look to return to the field next season.

"I've probably got 12 months of recovery in front of me so we'll play it by ear," he said.

Goannas coach Jeremy Rowe, who has previously worked with York at Belconnen, said the playing group was shattered for a veteran who had already become a favourite amongst the squad.

"He sustained quite an horrific injury and if you spoke to Yorky you wouldn't know it, he's such a buoyant and happy person. We feel so sorry for him, and we played with heavy hearts after his injury," Rowe said.

"We all understand there's worse things that can happen in life, but in footy terms there's not too many worse things. After having a year off last year and the excitement he had of experiencing country footy, it being over before it starts is shattering for him.

"Our club's in a special place where it doesn't really matter if you've been here for ten minutes or ten years.

"The sense of loss from within the club on Saturday was really apparent.

"He's such a good person and clubman we were excited to have him as part of our team and it's a real shame it's been taken away.

"We'll make sure over the rest of the season he feels part of the club and it really put a dampener on yesterday's win.

"We're all passionate about our footy but this will affect his life for a little while. We wish him well with surgery and after that. It's going to be a long road with such a horrific injury."

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The two sides played three 25-minute periods as a result of the injury and Rowe was pleased with their display once the group got over the shock of York's injury.

"We were listless in the first period and maybe Yorky's injury had an effect," he said.

"Once we came out after the first break the players fixed that and our pressure and tackling were very pleasing. We were clean and clear-headed with our decision making in traffic.

"We were brining a lot of people together for the first time and there was a few things we wanted to get out of the game. We ticked those off."

Rowe said they will bring York back into the fold once he's ready after he undergoes surgery in Canberra, and feels he can still play a big role as a wise set of eyes for their forward line on game day.

The Goannas have recruited strongly for this season and are looking to snap their 28-year premiership drought.

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