Injury blow for Richmond
By Nabila Ahmed
July 20 2003
Richmond's bid to snap an eight-game losing streak was dealt a blow yesterday, with news that talented midfielder Rory Hilton could be sidelined for about a month with two broken ribs.
Hilton was taken to hospital during the Tigers' crushing 69-point loss on Friday night, after he collided with Magpie Anthony Rocca as he ran backwards in an attempt to stop the towering forward from taking a mark early in the fourth quarter.
A similar act last year ended Hilton's season in round three, after he flung himself into the path of Melbourne captain David Neitz.
Tigers football manager Greg Hutchison said Hilton, who was playing in his first senior game after three weeks in the VFL, did not suffer any lung damage.
"He came out of hospital today and he's in the recovery process now. I'm not too sure how long it will take, usually at least a couple of weeks for that sort of injury, I'd imagine," Hutchison said yesterday.
"I haven't had a full detailed conversation with the doctor other than he's got two broken ribs, but he's all right and he's comfortable but these things, they do take a while to get over."
But he said the Tigers hoped to be buoyed by the return of midfielder Kane Johnson (hamstring) and veteran Leon Cameron (knee) in their crucial Saturday night clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Hutchison lamented Friday night's loss as the team's worst for the season but could not explain the club's losing streak.
"It's hard to put your finger on what it is. We're just not certain about it, other than the fact that we just lost some close games that we should've won and that does impact on your morale and your psyche and your mindset when you play games of footy," he said.
With the Bulldogs also in the midst of a long losing streak, Hutchison said Saturday night's match would be a hard-fought contest.
"Probably they would look at us and say that we're a great opportunity for them to break their streak, too. So it's going to be a tough game of footy," he said.
