The 2011 grand final best-on-ground winner’s mishap is the latest in a string of injuries to strike the Hoppers.

Moyhu already has its back to the wall in the race for a spot in the top six ahead of Saturday’s do-or-die clash with Bright, but coach Nathan Waite is hoping his team can draw some inspiration from their injured skipper.

“Hopefully we get a few extra guys to stand up with Craig out,” Waite said.

“He’s a tough customer and a big loss to our side, but it’s also a challenge to our players to step up and fill his shoes.

“Injuries haven’t been kind to us this year, so to be where we are on the ladder at this stage of the season is a good effort.”

The Hoppers will also be without full-forward Nathan Thompson, who is unavailable with work commitments, leaving them light on in key positions.

But the midfield remains largely intact and Waite knows their performance will be crucial to securing an upset win over the Mountain Men.

“The game will be won or lost for us through the middle, but if we can get on top there I think we’re a good chance to put some points on the board,” Waite said.

“We’ve got a few holes we’re having to fill at the moment, but being on home turf will be helpful in that sense.

“It hasn’t been a lot of fun with the amount of guys we’ve had out, there have been a lot of players who have had to back up a reserves game with a run in the seniors, and they’ve done a cracking job of that.

“But there’s a lot riding on this game for us, we’ve got a tough run coming in the next few weeks if we want to make the six.

“We showed some good form early on to pinch a few wins and set us up, now we’ve got a good test ahead of us.”