COBDEN is resigned to starting the season without inspirational captain Paul Foster after he suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s Hampden league pre-season cup competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Foster had to be helped off the Friendly Societies’ Park by two club officials late in the final preliminary match of the competition against Portland after hyperextending his right knee.
Coach Stephen Hammond said the Bombers were sweating on medical reports this week with Foster to have the knee scanned.
He said the club was positive Foster would only be sidelined in the medium term but they wanted to make sure they got a clear picture of the extent of the damage.
“He may have medial damage. Hopefully it’s only minor,” Hammond said.
“It was very sore, I would say at least four weeks.”
Without being an expert, Hammond said if it was a medial ligament strain, the match-winning midfielder could be sidelined for as many as eight weeks.
Hammond said the injury was a result of friendly fire.
“He came through the pack, kicked the ball and Matty Harkin shoved an opponent while shepherding and landed on the knee. It was an accident.”
The injury capped a tough day for the Bombers, who lost vice-captain Paul Hinkley with an ankle injury in their first match against North Warrnambool Eagles.
Hinkley did not play in the second game against Portland but he was moving OK on the sidelines.
Hammond said Hinkley would be right for the Bombers’ round one match against Hamilton Kangaroos, saying the versatile big man could yet line up in a practice match against this weekend.
The Bombers weren’t alone with injuries to key players. Portland captain Rhys Egan, an inspirational leader in the midfield like Foster, suffered a hamstring injury in the Tigers’ open game loss to Camperdown,
Coach Jake Myles yesterday said he was unsure of the extent of the damage and hoped Egan would be right for their season-opening game against big improver Terang Mortlake on April 5.
Koroit lost Edenhope recruit Taylor Moloney to a shoulder injury that will keep him sidelined when the Saints open their season against neighbouring rival Port Fairy.