Demons skipper out for two games

NORTH Hobart skipper Hugh Williams will be out of action until Round 8 after smashing his head on a concrete gutter in a TSL match last weekend.

Demons assistant coach Aaron Vince said Williams was “lucky” he did not do more damage in the freak accident.

He will miss the Demons’ clash with reigning premier North Launceston at North Hobart Oval tomorrow, as well as next week’s match against Lauderdale.

The following week is North Hobart’s bye round, meaning Williams won’t be back until the Dees’ Sunday clash with the Tigers at Twin Ovals on May 20.

“He was extremely lucky,” Vince said.

“The incident looked a lot worse on the night and we were all fearful of what it might have been.

“He got out of hospital the next day and I was speaking to him on Tuesday. He’s starting to come right.

“He’s got a nasty gash across the top of his head. It’s all glued together, but he’s in good spirits.

“Losing your leader like that, someone who bleeds red and blue and who stayed on at the footy club when so many decided to pack up and leave, it’s a credit it to him.

“The boys look up to him not only because he’s our eldest player but he’s also an inspirational leader.

“The boys will step up for him this week.”

North Hobart’s other Hugh Williams is in doubt for tomorrow’s match.

“He had [two] teeth knocked back into his throat — so we’ll leave him until Friday to see whether he plays,” Vince said.

The return of North Launceston’s premiership playing coach Tom Couch, named in a forward pocket, adds another layer of problems for the TSL’s winless Demons.

“We don’t want to throw a kid on him who we don’t think is right up for the job, because that will embarrass him,” Vince said.

“We will assign the player who will get the most benefit out of playing on Couch.”