Ovens and Murray: Major injury blow for Wodonga Raiders
Country footy clubs are experiencing mixed fortunes with some big name players suffering injuries early in the season.
Wodonga Raiders boom recruit Cameron Ellis-Yolmen has encountered a double injury blow early in his first season for the Ovens and Murray league club, which is trying to work its way up the ladder.
The former Adelaide and Brisbane Lions midfielder was one of the biggest off-season signings across the state and almost single-handedly lifted the club over the line in Raiders’ first match against unbeaten Wangaratta Rovers.
He had 35 disposals and kicked two goals as Raiders were overrun late by Rovers, which has scored three narrow wins to start the season.
Late in the Rovers match, Ellis-Yolmen hurt his knee, but played the next game against Wodonga on Anzac Day and strained a hamstring on his other leg.
Raiders coach Marc Almond said crucially there was no structural damage to his knee, but he would be out for up to a month with the hamstring injury.
“His knee is structurally 100 per cent, which is great news,” Almond said.
Ellis-Yolmen still managed 25 possessions and 10 clearances against Wodonga, which has also made an unbeaten start to the season.
“Any other player, that is pretty good day at the office,” Almond said.
“He just didn’t have that same power because his knee has got too much fluid in it.”
Wodonga Raiders finished ninth on the ladder last season and faces a daunting task playing flag contender Yarrawonga on a five-day break this weekend.
GIPPSLAND
Moe is resigned to being without star forward Kristian Jaksch for an extended period after he injured his knee in round two.
Jaksch kicked 36 goals from 10 matches for Moe in the Covid-shortened 2021 season before sitting out last year.
In round one, the former Greater Western Sydney and Carlton utility kicked five goals against Morwell in his comeback game before hurting his knee in round two against Warragul.
He didn’t play last week against Wonthaggi.
“He’s had a couple of scans done and it’s not looking great,” Moe coach Declan Kielty said.
“He will be out for a little bit of time unfortunately.”
BENDIGO
Former St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary has made a successful return with Eaglehawk from a horror run of injuries at the end of his AFL career.
It wasn’t clear when Geary would return to the field when he signed to play for his original club Eaglehawk in the off-season, but he has played in wins against South Bendigo and Maryborough.
He has initially played off halfback as he builds fitness to eventually join the club’s midfield brigade.
GOULBURN VALLEY
Will Hayes is making the big impact Euroa had hoped he would when he returned to the club in the off-season.
Hayes has not played for Euroa since 2017 and in his first match back after stints with Carlton and Western Bulldogs he had 31 possessions in a hard fought win against Mansfield.
He followed up with another starring role in round two against Benalla and was again in the best when Euroa lost to Seymour last round.
Hayes is the early favourite for the GV Morrison Medal.
Even though he played for Euroa as a junior, Hayes is playing as a five-point player this season.
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