Courageous Buffalo Tim Eldridge to miss the rest of the NTFL season with a spinal injury

THE Darwin Buffaloes’ premiership ambitions have taken a hit with inspirational utility Tim Eldridge sidelined for the season with a spinal fracture

THE Darwin Buffaloes’ premiership ambitions have taken a hit with inspirational utility Tim Eldridge sidelined for the season with a spinal fracture.

Eldridge injured his back in the Round 6 clash against Waratah 11 days ago and has been forced a wear a brace for the next six weeks while the fracture heals.

The injury comes almost a year since Buffalo Tai Martin-Page suffered severe spinal damage in the early minutes of a game against Wanderers.

Tai Martin-Page dislocated his cervical spine in a bi-facet dislocation and has been confined to a wheelchair since suffering the injury..

Buffaloes coach Matt Campbell said Eldridge’s absence for the rest of the season was a real blow to the side.

“A cracked vertebrate is a very serious injury and we wish Timmy a speedy recovery,’’ Campbell told the NT News.

“Fortunately he’s up and able to move around while he gets ready for his rehabiliation and we’re confident he’ll come back bigger and better next season.’’

Campbell said losing a player of Eldridge’s courage and high standing among his peers was sometimes overlooked in favour of big name fly-ins.

“We at the Buffaloes know how important he is to us, given the significance of having players like Darren Shillabeer and Todd Miles in our side,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Wanderers hope to regain big marking forward Liam Patrick from a long standing hamstring injury for Saturday night’s clash with the Buffaloes.

But key defender Tyler Brimacombe is in doubt after injuring his hamstring in last week’s loss to Nightcliff.

The Tigers will be without ruckman Blake Penney for Friday night’s clash with Palmerston after he dislocated his shoulder in the Wanderers win.