PROMISING Wodonga Raiders ruckman Floyd Bollinghaus has been ruled out for the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
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Bollinghaus, 17, had his worst fears confirmed on Wednesday when scans revealed he would spend 12 months on the sidelines.
The in-form Bushranger was injured playing in a trial match for Victoria Country against Victoria Metro at IKON Park.
“It just happened at a centre bounce ruck contest when I landed,” he said.
“I didn’t fear the worst but I was in a fair bit of pain at the time.
“I was pretty happy with how the season started but that’s how it goes.”
Bollinghaus will be hoping he gets another chance in the TAC Cup next season as an over-age player.
Coach Leon Higgins said Bollinghaus had been one of the club’s best players.
“He’s had a terrific start to the season, playing really well in the ruck and starting to impact when going forward as well,” Bollinghaus said.
“It’s disappointing.”
Bollinghaus has come through the junior ranks at Birallee Park and was given a taste of senior Ovens and Murray football by coach Daryn Cresswell last season.
The Bushrangers take on Northern Knights at Craigieburn on Sunday with Doulton Langlands, Alex Paech and Jy Lane set to be strong inclusions.
Yarrawonga’s Bailey Fraunfelder will make his debut.
Hudson Garoni, Matt Walker, Ajak Dang and Zane Barzen will be unavailable due to commitments with the AFL level one academy in New Zealand on Anzac Day.
“It’s a great opportunity for the boys to play over there,” Higgins said.
The Bushrangers and Knights have 2-1 win-loss records this season with Higgins keen to strike back after their last round loss to Geelong.
“They have had a solid start to the season and been really competitive,” he said.
Sunday’s match starts at 12pm.
In other clashes this weekend, Bendigo meet Oakleigh, Dandenong take on Sandringham, Eastern Ranges do battle with Geelong, Western Jets play Gippsland and Calder clash with Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
The Murray Bushrangers side is:
B, Clarke, Koschitzke, Donaghey
HB, Langlands, Paech, Paton
C, Trotter, Wallace, Lane
HF, D Smith, Butts, J. Richards
F, Bond, Johnston, Oakes
Foll, Kelly, Jones, Hicks
Inter, Bond, N. Richards, Wilson, Fraunfelder
IN: Langlands, Paech, Lane, Oakes, Bond, Fraunfelder
OUT: Vandermeer (school), Bollinghaus (knee), Dang (level one academy), Bruce, E. Smith, Carmody
NEW: Bailey Fraunfelder
