News

Hille to miss remainder of season

Sunday, 26 April 2009
Craig rowston for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon ruckman, David Hille,will have surgeryon his knee to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season.

Football operations manager, Paul Hamilton, said the club's worst fears were confirmed after Hille had an MRI today.

"He will have an operationsoon and will begin his rehabiliation immediately after that," Hamilton said.

"This is very disappointing for David, the club and our supporters because he is one of our strong leaders on and off the field and we are going to miss him.

"We now need some young players to step up and this has been a focus of ours this season - we expect our young players to fill the gap if something like this occurs."

Hamilton said second year ruckman, Tom Bellchambers, and second year key-position player, Cale Hooker, would most likely be given more opportunities to support Paddy Ryder in the ruck.

PLAYER PROFILE: David Hille

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dear matthew knights seem hille is out for the rest of the year you have to elevate a rookie. who will it be. i think it should be rhys magin

- Cohlby Giblett (posted 26/04/2009 12:15:57 PM)

Fresh season for david next year. good luck. Good to see Bellchambers to get game time .

- Beefy Hurn (posted 26/04/2009 12:27:01 PM)

best of luck david

- Raymond Learmonth (posted 26/04/2009 12:27:33 PM)

Get back bigger and better Hille. All the best with the operation and recovery. Huge loss to the team.

- Armando Sultana (posted 26/04/2009 12:28:42 PM)

Absolutely devastating. My heart goes out to David, he would be shattered..and of course us, the fans are left worried on who can fill his position now. Ryder did well, but he's gonna need some help... Can Hille perhaps have the same operation Malceski did? COME ON DONS... We gotta lift for Hille... GO BOMBERS.

- Samantha Kisielis (posted 26/04/2009 12:43:13 PM)

That really sucks. But I can't wait to see Paddy show the rest of the competition what he can do. Maybe we should keep Jobe out of the ruck contests though.

- Emily Paton (posted 26/04/2009 1:10:21 PM)

Been pleading for 3 years for Ryder to get a regular run in the ruck... shocking for Hille, but this could be a blessing.

- Matt Dawson (posted 26/04/2009 1:13:37 PM)

Oh my this is a sad sad day. David always puts his body on the line and we will miss him. Paddy may have just found his new found freedom and i think we will see his true potential now. Get strong for next year David.

- Warrick Burrows (posted 26/04/2009 1:13:54 PM)

DOESN,T MATTER WHO,S PLAYING THEY JUST NEED TO STEP UP AND TAKE THERE CHANCE

- Luke Jones (posted 26/04/2009 1:21:49 PM)

This is shocking news for such a star. Get well soon David, all the best in your recovery and your life. Cheers

- Damian OEHME (posted 26/04/2009 1:28:51 PM)

bad news , but hopefully he comes back better next year. good opportunity for bellchambers to come into the team !

- Jason Grech (posted 26/04/2009 1:48:41 PM)

Paddy Ryder is the Ruckman of the future! Hopefully it will be more like Hille coming back in to play more of a supporting role?? Imagine Hille dropping back into the forward line as Salmon used to do... and Alessio... And Simon Madden... Hilly will still play a massive role in the next Bombers PREMIERSHIP TEAM!!! :D

- Cam Allen (posted 26/04/2009 1:54:49 PM)

Bad luck big fella and all the best for your rehab Hilley. The only positive to take out of it was the coming of age of one P Ryder! GO BOMBERS!

- Chris Crooks (posted 26/04/2009 2:09:40 PM)

Ouch, this will hurt. But good to get some games into some of the younger ruckmen.

- Joseph Attard (posted 26/04/2009 2:13:24 PM)

this is st hille is a respected member and great player on the team it is sa but gives our newer people from sam #26-lauderdale under 10's

- sam pettit (posted 26/04/2009 2:26:18 PM)

Awful luck for David. We are really going to miss his presence in the side. Hopefully Ryder and TB can stand up tall for the rest of the seaosn.

- Rachelle Bransgrove (posted 26/04/2009 2:39:37 PM)

ohhh nooo! we are gonna miss ya hille!! you have been a great ruckman for Essendon!!

- Jezza Chau (posted 26/04/2009 2:41:09 PM)

Its such a shame to see Hille out but does anybody know whats going on with laycock and if he's a possability to play this year

- jeremy ryan (posted 26/04/2009 2:53:04 PM)

What a crushing blow Hilley obvisouly leave a big hole I'm sure he's just as mentally tough as he is phisically. Great win well done Paddy and the rest of the team to soldier on after the injuries

- Simon Mayo (posted 26/04/2009 3:03:28 PM)

Rotten luck for a great player, you will be back bigger & better, best of luck in your recovery, you will be missed. GO BOMBERS

- Bob Cox (posted 26/04/2009 3:05:33 PM)

I'm shattered for you, David. Do what you need to do to come back next year. Hopefully Tom Bellchambers will step up to help Paddy Ryder fill the breach.

- Sue ONeill (posted 26/04/2009 3:11:12 PM)

Why is it our champions always do there bloody knee?... Watson '86, Coleman '50's Long (3 times!!!) Bomber Thompson, Bewick the list goes on and on... I reckon EFC should find who it is stickin needles in Essendon voodoo dolls and shoot 'em!!!

- Mark Mantineo (posted 26/04/2009 3:11:40 PM)

This sucks. but could be the perfect oppurtunity for Belly. Get well Hilly and kick ass next season

- Matthew Holloway (posted 26/04/2009 3:32:15 PM)

well done bombers , great effort, lets win another game for david hille.

- Darren Pigott (posted 26/04/2009 3:53:55 PM)

wot a Shame Bugger Me see you in 20010 bigger and Fresher next year best wishes any way

- MARK JONES (posted 26/04/2009 4:12:32 PM)

Best wishes David, hope that you come back bigger and better next year, where waiting for you. Good Luck

- elle ghalayini (posted 26/04/2009 4:23:49 PM)

Bloody bad luck big fella, I guess we were lucky we kept Laycock after all. Time for the monster that is Tom Bellchambers to step up and Paddy Rider to play No.1 Ruck. Question is who will play CHB?

- Chris Beer (posted 26/04/2009 4:24:12 PM)

Emily Paton I don't know what football you watch.........but if you take Jobe Watson out of the middle we will get smashed he's in the top 4 in the comp for clearances in the last 4 years! And Jeremy please don't mention Jason Laycock to replace Hille I would rather Alwyn Davey played in the ruck!

- Chris Crooks (posted 26/04/2009 4:26:21 PM)

Big Blow for the bombers big blow in 2009.

- Danny Namoni (posted 26/04/2009 4:36:40 PM)

Joseph Attard is right on the mark Essendon will now need to play Tom Bellchambers and LEAVE HIM in the team, for thw whole year, all he needs to do is give a contest and the rest will work itself out.

- Peter Pischek (posted 26/04/2009 4:37:06 PM)

Bad luck Hille, good luck with the rehab

- Terri Xuereb (posted 26/04/2009 4:57:39 PM)

Shattering news for poor David, I wish you all the best in your recovery.

- Kylie Brown (posted 26/04/2009 5:17:23 PM)

Injuries are part of the game.Ryder has stepped up to the plate and another player will fill the gap.May Hille recover well and be a force again when he returns.

- Noel Paech (posted 26/04/2009 5:34:12 PM)

Very unlucky for Hille :( The last year or two, I have thought Paddy Ryder should stay in defence. Now, with all our key backmen coming through, he must become a ruckman. As one door closes, another opens. Good luck!

- Brennan Azzopardi (posted 26/04/2009 5:37:01 PM)

Best wishes David - I know how ya feel (knee, not missing out on what looks to be a promising year for the Dons) - hope your'e on the mend soon and pick a good Doc!

- Brendan Williams (posted 26/04/2009 5:45:22 PM)

we in trouble now no rucks at all bellchambers and bock not ready and paddy will get bashed in there and ruin his career what are we going to do lucky brisbane have no rucks either but what happens after that?

- Brett Martin (posted 26/04/2009 5:45:24 PM)

When Hille went down a Collingwood supporter behind me got stuck into him. Rest assured, all ye good Bomber fans, I made him regret his words with some excellent ripostes, too vulgar to print on this website. And on the way out he copped some more. GO DONS!!!

- Luke Smith (posted 26/04/2009 5:54:46 PM)

U guys are kidding bellchambers is no where near a Laycock does any 1 watch Bendigo!! Hooker, Bock or even Still would be a better option by a mile!!! hurry up laycock and get back!!

- phil forsyth (posted 26/04/2009 6:07:42 PM)

message to Samantha Kiselis I would love for Hilley to have the same operation as Malceski although as Doc Larkins said it is a relitivly new technology and the risks are to great for a big fella of 111 kg who can struggle in there rehab a bit more then say a 70 kg Alwyn Davey Geelong elected to go with the traditional reco with Josh Hunt although I think once the synthetic option has proven itself it will get used a lot more it the future. I wonder which rookie will be elevated ?

- Simon Mayo (posted 26/04/2009 6:08:01 PM)

Bad luck David Hille just hope the op goes well and you can rejoin a likely top 4 unit next year. In the meantime young Tom B has the chance, along with Paddy Ryders help, to show us what he's made of.

- Michael Rance (posted 26/04/2009 6:30:35 PM)

What a huge chance for Bellchambers. If he develops reasonably in the next 17 weeks it could well also be the end of Laycock's career.

- Geoff Cliff (posted 26/04/2009 6:34:24 PM)

i do agree with joseph attard and to add my bit drop scott lucas to the secounds and get some form back replacement would be neagle

- Joe Muscara (posted 26/04/2009 7:01:55 PM)

Hope your recovery is as quick as possible David, you will be hugely missed.

- josef sakac (posted 26/04/2009 7:12:32 PM)

can someone tell me where riemers is please when will he play i want to see him with lovett davey and dempsey what a team when prismals back and welsh

- william groves (posted 26/04/2009 7:34:11 PM)

with hille and laycock both out then belly will be getting games so laycock is finished

- Matthew Holloway (posted 26/04/2009 8:00:47 PM)

Not good at all. Hope this isn't the result of having to be the lone ruckman for too long, too much stress on the big mans knees. Have been calling for Bellchambers for a while now, he's about to show everyone why. Please dont call for Laycock, Bellchambers is already twice the player Laycock is. Carn Dons, keep this momentum going, by the way, love the game plan, why more teams dont use the corridor is beyond me.

- Andrew Corcoran (posted 26/04/2009 8:14:23 PM)

I think we should just give up, even though it was a good win, we dont have a good side and wont win another premiership for at least 2 decades. Sorry guys, I know that was a bit of a downer.

- Joshua Little (posted 26/04/2009 8:44:11 PM)

YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED HILLE! I've been hoping for a miracle and for the doctors to have made a misdiagnosis but no such luck! My thoughts are with you. You will be back better than ever next year. Stay strong and positive, we're all behind you.Hope you got to see the rest of the game and that it put a huge smile on your face on a day I'm sure you'd rather forget.Your team was awesome!

- Joanne Wallis (posted 26/04/2009 9:21:29 PM)

Get well soon David, take your time, we'll still be here when you get back.

- Richard Hayward (posted 26/04/2009 9:31:58 PM)

bad luck hille

- cameron stebbeings (posted 26/04/2009 9:36:29 PM)

huge loss to the team you are one of my favourite players hope the recovery is smooth and you are back next year for us to cheer on ruth williams

- Ruth Williams (posted 26/04/2009 10:00:16 PM)

David Hille, the EFC will miss you but hopefully will continue to do you proud like ANZAC Day. Laycock has had his chance - even if ruckmen take longer to develop, there have not been many glimpses of brilliance. Bellchambers for the win!

- JUSTIN MARCUS (posted 26/04/2009 10:33:32 PM)

wake up phil forsyth laycock should have followed kapla bradley to freo essendon should have got rid of him in 2007 to lazy this week 4 the rest of the yaer put in bellchambers as andrew corcoran says please dont call 4 lazycock drop lucas,dyson replace them with neagle,mcviegh i think lucas needs abit of time in the secounds

- Joe Muscara (posted 26/04/2009 10:37:48 PM)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo, not Hilly, I'm devastated. Mate, I hope your op goes well and wish u all the best. I agree with most others, Bellchambers should be given a chance, he looks the goods. And Joshua Little, I hope that was just a hint of sarcasm I detected in your comment. If not, you're on the wrong website, this one is for Bombers SUPPORTERS ;)

- Natasja Henry (posted 26/04/2009 10:57:45 PM)

Arguably our best player gone and its devastating but! Patrick Ryder has played all his career (up to AFL) as a key position ruckmen and now he can prove his worth in that position. Hes proved a very good defender and in the ruck you need to be hard at the ball, mobile and read the play well. THings paddy can do but not TB. he isnt ready as hitouts isnt enough to get a posi in the team. Cale Hooker for mine, a good CHB and could give Ryder some reprieve. I believe you can do it urself Patrick. BTW i didnt right off Dyson and look what he did, almost BOG

- Dan Hines (posted 26/04/2009 10:58:24 PM)

Hooker = 1 bog, 2 2nd bog. Bellchambers = Nothing Hooker is a CHB so adds down back but also can play ruck to releive paddy for a few minutes a quater of a 110 minute game if Hooker can play 20 in the ruck then thats all we need

- Dan Hines (posted 26/04/2009 11:32:42 PM)

Joshua Little, your comment above is not warrented or justified. Thats a great ANZAC spirit, "just give up". Maybe you should support another team. Great win by the Dons, nothing should take that winning feeling away. I will be supporting you in both good and bad times.

- Jeffrey Bonser (posted 26/04/2009 11:42:32 PM)

absolutely devastating loss!! good news i suppose is the fact that bellchambers will get the rest of the season 2 develop.

- Jack Lockett (posted 26/04/2009 11:56:54 PM)

Joshua Little you are a peanut. Why write such dribble, cant you see this club is heading upwards. Keep your simplistic comments to yourself. Hilles injury is a chance for somebody to put their hand up. We have Prismall/Welsh back in six, really looking forward to the second half of the season as long as we can stay even with win/loss ratio!

- Malcolm Milgate (posted 27/04/2009 9:55:11 AM)

David Hille. An integral part of our team and will be sadly missed this year. Hope to see him back next year fit and strong. On a brighter note, great win on Saturday, never give up!

- Tony Beattie (posted 27/04/2009 10:34:00 AM)

David I near wept for you on the Saturday mate - what a terrible loss for the side! Best of luck with the surgery and the rehab and I look forward to seeing you back bigger and better in 2010!!

- Duncan Eastey (posted 27/04/2009 11:19:21 AM)

belly hes to come in 4 hille,scotty needs games in the 2s so bring in neagle or hooker,mcveigh in 4 lmurray,not a fan of dyson but he deserves to play again after a better effort ,tyson slattery in 4 henry slattery who was ordinary again,shane briggs

- Samantha Briggs (posted 27/04/2009 11:35:17 AM)

Yeah David, I join with other Bomber fans to wish you a speedy recovery, although we all realise it's probably a 12 month injury. The one bloke we really did NOT want this to happen to. Here's hoping big Tommy Bellchambers grabs his opportunity with both hands. One door closes, another opens...

- Dennis Green (posted 27/04/2009 12:54:08 PM)

Are you awake Joe learn how to spell before you try and make comment Peanut your comments show you are not with it so worry about another stuip

- phil forsyth (posted 27/04/2009 1:10:28 PM)

If the Essendon Chiefs read these comments could they please tell us what is happening with Laycock, if not do any of our fans know what the story is with Laycock PLEASE let us know. Go Bombers.

- Peter Pischek (posted 27/04/2009 2:24:57 PM)

I know supporters must have their say but do not be too hasty to demote players. Lucas still had 11 disposals with 7 marks on Saturday and worked hard. he has been a great player for the club and can still contribute. Lovett Murray has had 24 posessions and deserves to retain his spot. We need that mix of experience with youth.

- Tony Beattie (posted 27/04/2009 2:39:25 PM)

sam briggs i dont know what game you were watching but slattery kept medhurst to 1 goal. thats a pretty bloddy good effort if you ask me.

- Christopher Domjanic (posted 27/04/2009 3:02:20 PM)

Chris Crooks, I think what Emily Paton was saying was, keep Jobe out of the ruck contests, NOT the middle. He rucked a couple of times when no one else was there.I'm sure you'll agree not an ideal place to have some one of his importance. Lucky it was probably only against Fraser so he wouldn't have had any physical contact to contend with !!!

- Craig Hamilton (posted 27/04/2009 3:44:43 PM)

a sad moment, but we must go on. if tthe damage isnt too bad, maybe they can do that other knee operation that you can recover in 3 months if its possible. brilliant win and good luck with op david

- Robert Brown (posted 27/04/2009 8:49:05 PM)

bellchambers is just as lazy as laycock my cousin played with him at launceston and could not believe we drafted him he only played 1 good quarter in a grand final down here and was picked from that our recruiting staff did not do any homework on him at all and now its going to cost us just another dodoro blunder and i mean ANOTHER

- Brett Martin (posted 28/04/2009 4:24:40 PM)

brett if they gave laycock a chance after chance bellchambers should prove himself just because he played with your cousin means noththing who drafted your cousin

- Joe Muscara (posted 28/04/2009 5:32:50 PM)

Well said brett ive seen him play down in tassie 2! simon madden would get more kicks and joe just stop making a fool of urself

- phil forsyth (posted 29/04/2009 4:11:34 PM)

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