PROMISING Lavington youngster Josh Hamilton’s quest to crack a contract with VFL club Port Melbourne has been stalled by a knee injury.
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Hamilton had been training with the Borough for several weeks in the lead-up to Christmas before complaining of soreness and being advised to undergo surgery.
Although the extent of the injury remains unclear, the problem is believed to have first surfaced against Corowa-Rutherglen at the John Foord Oval last season when he crashed to the turf in the opening quarter.
Panther assistant-coach Matt Pendergast said yesterday it was a setback, but hoped the problem would be fixed after a “clean-out”.
“Josh has been training with Port for a while to see if he could get a game, but his knee hasn’t been right and looks like it needs an operation,” Pendergast said yesterday.
“It’s not a season-ending one or anything like that, more of a clean-out.
“He’s a good young kid and I’m not sure where it leaves him to be honest.
“We are trying to help him out as much as we can.”
Hamilton emerged as one of Lavington’s rising stars this year as a key position player and is believed to have impressed Port Melbourne playing for the VCFL under-19s.
If the former Murray Bushranger joined Port Melbourne he would follow Wangaratta Rovers’ onballer Sam Caruso (Williamstown) in trying out in VFL ranks next year.
Port Melbourne is coached by former Hawthorn backman Gary Ayres.
Hamilton’s possible departure or absence through injury would be another blow for Lavington with assistant-coach Brad Eaton dropping a bombshell earlier this month by announcing he would be returning to Mildura.
