Castles has booted 12 goals in two games this season, including eight in last week's win over Griffith, but is likely to be unavailable for the clash of the unbeaten teams due to family commitments, and has been named on the bench.

Dom Bunyan will also miss after suffering a grade one hamstring injury against the Swans and Jacob Whitley (ankle) is also out, but Trent Cohalan has recovered from an ankle complaint.

The Hoppers also finished their win at Leeton-Whitton last week with a bruised and battered bench.

Midfield prime mover Jeremy Sykes is set to miss around six weeks with an MCL injury, while winger Cooper McKelvie and forward Luke Gerhard (both hamstring) look set to be sidelined for around a month.

It means both clubs will have to turn to their depth for arguably the most anticipated Riverina League match-up of the year thus far.

Rowe said while the potential loss of Castles and some other first grade regulars is a blow, it will allow them to road test a few different scenarios against quality opposition.

"When you play the best sides in the big games you definitely want your best team on the paddock, but every club at different stages has to cope with these things," he said.

"Every club likes to say it prides itself on depth and there's guys to come in and do a role. I'm sure it's the same for both us and Coolamon this week.

"As much as we see Trent as important to our side, you do want to develop Plan B and C as the season progresses.

"When you've got to look internally at different ways of achieving things, it's exciting to a certain degree because you get to find out who's capable of what, and what options you have should things not be working or if there are other times players aren't available."

IN OTHER NEWS

Rowe said they are likely to mix up their forward structure and play a smaller set-up around in-form centre-half forward George Kendall.

"Normally you would see Trent being in the square and George high up the ground, it may be we cycle a number of players through that lower post and try and be a bit quicker and more mobile in how we go about our business," he said.

The Rovers are yet to test themselves against a team tipped to be a flag contender, and CSU recruit Dylan McPhail and fellow newcomer Ryan Cox are both chances of making their club debuts.

Coolamon will settle on its team after their last training run on Friday night.

"We're looking forward to the challenge. Our style of football has been really good so far, it's now about finishing our hard work in front of goals," he said.

"I was looking forward to him (Castles) playing because it would have been a good challenge for our backs like Josh Buchanan and Marshall Macauley," he said.

"Our back seven have been really consistent for us but they're still going to be tough. Rowey deserves a lot of credit for how they're playing.

"The top end teams always have good depth and that's the key in this league, so when players like that are out you try and replace them as best you can."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: