BALLARAT promising youngster Liam Hoy will almost certainly miss the start of the VFL season after dislocating a shoulder in a practice match on Saturday.Hoy's left shoulder popped out when he attempted to spoil a Geelong opponent at Eureka Stadium Ballarat on Saturday.Selkirk Roosters football manager Marg Richards said the extent of Hoy's injury would not be known until he saw a surgeon."Hopefully he won't need surgery," she said.Hoy has had an impressive pre-season in defensive roles and was a frontrunner to make his VFL senior debut in the opening round against Coburg Tigers on Sunday, April 11.The Warrnambool youngster played with the North Ballarat Rebels last year.The Roosters defeated Geelong by seven points - 16.8 (104) to 14.13 (97).In other injury concerns for North Ballarat, Marc Greig and Kangaroos rookie Marcus White each suffered corked thighs.White's game ended in the second quarter.As a rookie, White is a regular in the North Ballarat line-up.Despite suffering cramp, North Melbourne's top draft selection Ben Cunnington had his best performance since returning from a foot injury.This was only his second full-scale match practice.Kangaroos development coach John Lamont told kangaroos.com.au that Cunnington was still gaining fitness and was definitely on the right track.Geelong key forward James Podsiadly dominated in a best-on-ground performance, almost single handedly getting the Cats back into the game after they trailed by 24 points in the third quarter.Nathan Djerkurra also had a big dig out, while Ryan Gamble was a solid contributor.Derick Micallef caught the eye for the Roosters, as did Nick Peters, Clinton Benjamin, Bill Driscoll and Oliver Tate.Aaron Edwards kicked five goals for the Roosters.North Ballarat plays Frankston in Ballarat on Saturday in its last practice match.