BFL: Drysdale recruit Hamish Paynter out for 6-10 weeks with elbow injury

A new Hawk will miss a significant chunk of the BFL season after a gruesome injury left him in hospital overnight.

Drysdale's Hamish Paynter (42) handballs under pressure from Barwon Heads Archie Hildebrandt (32). Drysdale v Barwon Heads senior BFL football. Picture: Alan Barber

DRYSDALE’s loss to Barwon Heads was soured further after confirmation that new recruit Hamish Paynter would miss a large chunk of the season through injury.

The newest Hawk dislocated his elbow in a contest during Drysdale’s 10.12 (72) to 15.12 (102) loss to last year’s premiers in Barwon Heads.

Hawks co-coach Ben Carmichael said it was a disappointing start to the year for Paynter.

“It’s really disappointing for him, he spent the night in hospital and will miss some extended time,” he said.

“It was just in a contest, we’re not exactly sure how it happened so it’s really disappointing, he’s one of our big recruits and we were really excited to get him into the team, but hopefully we’ll see him later in the year.

“There’s a little fracture in there as well so they’ve put him in plaster and he will be out for about the next six to 10 weeks.”

Drysdale coach Ben Carmichael. Drysdale v Barwon Heads senior BFL football. Picture: Alan Barber

The injury news compound the difficult loss against the reigning premiers, who started strongly to jump out to a 20-point lead at quarter time.

Barwon Heads co-coach Mitch Herbison said the clash against one of the competition’s benchmarks was a great way to start the season.

“It was a really tough challenge, our guys were great from the start and brought a great deal of intensity and a high level of pressure that we wanted to bring,” he said.

“They got us off to a good start and as expected Drysdale fought back hard, so it was good to see the boys test themselves and fight hard in a game early in the season.

“We had a fair few new guys in the side, so it was good to see them play well, like Jack Blackburn on the wing was great all day, Kallum Hinchcliffe down back was really good, everyone worked hard all day.

Barwon Heads Mitch Herbison (23) and Brock Close (19) celebrate a goal. Drysdale v Barwon Heads senior BFL football. Picture: Alan Barber

“We had a pretty even performance with 22 contributors, which was pretty pleasing from a coaching point of view.”

Drysdale co-coach Tom Ruggles slotted six goals and proved to be a difficult match up for Barwon Heads, while Seagulls forward Brock Close led the way with five majors for the winning side.

Herbison said Ruggles had a chance to rip the game away from Barwon Heads.

“Tom is a really quality player and he can be a really tough match up because he can go on ball, he can go forward and be a threat there, but he can also go back if needed,” he said.

“As the game started to open up a bit in the second half he really came to life and did look pretty dangerous, our back six had to work hard there.

“He still did get on the end of a few which hopefully next time it doesn’t happen, but I thought we did a good job.”

Around the Grounds

An inaccurate Newcomb has beaten an improved Portarlington in the opening round of the season 14.17 (101) to 12.8 (80).

Portarlington jumped out to a four-goal lead at quarter time and held a slim advantage at the main break, but the Power overcame them in the second half and kicked 14 goals to eight after quarter time to run out with the win.

Skipper Jack Duke slotted five goals for Newcomb, while Andrew Steele had four majors.

A five-goal haul from new recruit Aaron Willitts has helped guide Geelong Amataeur over Anglesea in the opening round 14.14 (98) to 10.12 (72).

The Ammos had a number of debutants kick goals, with Jai Sheahan and Tom Zeitz also snagging three majors each in the win.

Modewarre has staged an unbelievable comeback to get an away win over Queenscliff, stealing victory from the Coutas with the score 11.7 (73) to 9.14 (68).

Queenscliff jumped out to a three-goal lead at the first break, and maintained that advantage at three quarter time, but a four-goal to none last quarter sealed a famous win for the Warriors.

Connor Joseph led the way for Modewarre with four goals.

Torquay has started its season in emphatic fashion, kicking 16.15 (111) to beat Ocean Grove 6.4 (40) by 71 points.

The goalkicking honours were shared around the Tigers camp, with six players slotting multiple goals and two more kicking one each.

Originally published as BFL: Drysdale recruit Hamish Paynter out for 6-10 weeks with elbow injury