Launceston looks set to lose Dylan Riley for the rest of the year after the star forward suffered an ACL injury in Saturday's 53-point win over North Launceston.
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The 28-year-old, who had been on track to become just the second player to post a 100-goal season in the revamped TSL, went down in the opening minutes of the top-two clash at Windsor Park.
"We all know how important he is to the competition and our team and we lost him really early in the game," Launceston coach Mitch Thorp said.
"We were down a rotation for the rest of the game so in a weird way we were really proud of the boys' maturity just to work through that.
"It's going to be hard to navigate around, but we showed for three quarters today that it doesn't matter who you are, you can play a role."
Riley was assisted off the ground after an innocuous tackle from Northern Bombers coach Brad Cox-Goodyer, who wished his former teammate a speedy recovery.
"It's a poor result for footy with that, it's very unfortunate," Cox-Goodyer said.
"Fingers crossed he gets good news ... it doesn't sound really good but best wishes to him."
Riley had kicked 59 goals in 12 games heading into Saturday's match.
PETER HUDSON MEDAL STANDINGS
- 1. Dylan Riley Launceston 59 (0)
- 2. Thomas Bennett North Launceston 22 (1)
- = Bradley Cox-Goodyer North Launceston 22 (0)
- 4. Jay Blackberry Launceston 21 (2)
- = Brayden Pitcher Launceston 21 (6)
- 6.Cody Thorp Launceston 19 (0)
- = Tyler Carter 19 (0)
- =Josh Green Clarence 19 (1)
- = Zachary Burt North Launceston 19 (1)
- 10. Jake Hinds Launceston 18 (2)
- = Michael Musicka Launceston 18 (1)
- =Brandon Leary North Launceston 18 (1)
Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
