Border Mail |WANGARATTA Rovers captain Tyson Hartwig is waiting to know the seriousness of his thumb injury.
Hartwig will see a specialist next week after landing awkwardly in the final quarter of the Hawks' loss to Lavington at W.J. Findlay Oval in round 8.
The Victorian Country representative was a late withdrawal against Albury at the weekend.
"I'll have an MRI later this week and then see a specialist to try and get a clearer picture," Hartwig said.
"I'm not sure how serious it is yet.
"For now it's at a stage where I'll train and see if it feels good enough to play this weekend.
"I won't get an expert's opinion until next week."
The injury leaves Hartwig in doubt to represent the Peter Knights-coached Victoria Country against the VAFA at Bendigo's Queen Elizabeth Oval on July 11.
Albury's Dean Polo and Brayden O'Hara are also in the 39-man squad.
Hartwig said it was hard not to be impressed by Polo and O'Hara as the Tigers dismantled Wangaratta Rovers at Albury Sportsground on Saturday.
"Seeing it from up in the coaching booth, it gives you another perspective, and the way Albury run and spread is elite," he said.
"Someone remarked about it at the weekend and I couldn't agree more.
"They know when to go and they go hard."
Polo racked up a stunning 58 possessions and two goals in the Tigers' 143-point victory, while O'Hara finished with 48 touches and kicked four majors.
Wangaratta Rovers have little time to regroup as they take on Yarrawonga at W.J. Findlay Oval on Saturday.
The Pigeons have turned their focus to making the finals rather than finishing in the top three after blowing a 41-point last-quarter lead against Wodonga Raiders.
Paul Maher's line-up led their rivals by four goals at half-time when they met in round 1 before going down by 17 points thanks to an 11-goal bag from Brendan Fevola.
