INJURY CURSE HITS HOBART CITY’S KANE RICHTER

HOBART City Demons coach Kane Richter may have played his last game, with the veteran TSL defender again struck down by a persistent knee injury and only two games remaining for the Dees.

Richter, 34, full-forward Callan Dell (hamstring) and defender Michael Bidgood (knee) were casualties of the Demons’ brave nine-point win over Launceston two weeks ago, and the week off for the bye made little difference to their recovery.

Hobart City assistant coach Trent Baumeler said it was a blow leading into the side’s door-die match against Lauderdale at Lauderdale Oval tomorrow, but it opened the door for new blood.

“Kane and Michael both suffered knee injuries and we won’t see them again this year, unfortunately, and ‘Delly’ might be back for the last round depending on how his hammy comes along,” Baumeler said.

“We will bring some young players into the side, a couple of them might be debutants, so it certainly opens up opportunities for younger players.”

As well as the bye last weekend, Hobart City has a bye again next weekend, leaving only the final round against the Tigers the following week as Richter’s last chance to play — unless the Dees make the finals.

To continue into September, Hobart City (sixth) must beat third-placed Lauderdale, which is in a purple patch of form. “We need to win to give ourselves a chance to make the finals,” Baumeler said.

The Launceston game certainly took its toll on the Demons.

“It was a tough slog so to have last weekend off was important, so we are ready to go,” he said.

The Launceston win may have robbed the team of its leader, but the gain was also significant.

“It was a massive character builder for the group and a massive step forward.

“We’re young. We haven’t had a lot of experience in finals and big games, so to be kicking against the breeze in the last quarter with Launceston coming at us the whole time, the guys stood up and we got a lot of belief out of that.

“We want to keep that going to finish off the season strong, whether that’s in the last round of whether we play in the finals.”