Tigers midfield brigade takes a hit with Will Campbell to miss at least first half of 2019 with knee injury

A FREAK farm accident will see one of the Tigers’ star players miss at least the first half of the 2019 TSL season in a huge blow for the club.

Will Campbell faces an extended period on the sidelines after dislocating his knee after falling off a rock. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

A FREAK farm accident will see one of the Tigers’ star players miss at least the first half of the 2019 TSL season in a huge blow for the club.

Having already lost star defender Mitch Carter, who has returned home to Western Australia, the Kingborough-based outfit will also be without Will Campbell for potentially the whole campaign.

Campbell, who joined Tigers from North Hobart this season, dislocated his knee cap and will undergo surgery next month where the full extent of the injury will be known.

Tigers onballer Will Campbell at Kingston. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Tigers coach Trent Baumeler was remaining as upbeat as possible about being without one of his most damaging midfielders for an extended period, but for a side looking to start making headway in the competition it is a bitter pill to swallow.

“I think he was shooting or something and fell down off a rock and landed badly. He got it straight back in but he has a bit of damage in there,” Baumeler told the Mercury.

“There is a bit of ligament damage in there, they will know a bit more once he gets opened up and they sort it out.

“It is going to be a chunk of the season, definitely the front half, but we just have to wait and see to see what the true damage is.

“You can’t do much about it … it’s just next man up. We will help Will through his recovery and he will still have an active role for us.

“He is going to look at some coaching stuff to keep him occupied, he doesn’t want to be one of those guys who disappears into the background and you don’t see them for six months.

“He is one of our leaders, he will learn a bit about footy this year and look at it through a different lens.”

The Tigers could also be without the services of Nick Hutchinson, who is contemplating a move to Melbourne for study.

“I think he is still making up his mind on what he wants to do,” Baumeler said.

“If he does go to study or to further his footy, we will never hold anyone back and will let them go and release them from any deals.”