David Hille says he expects to be ready to play in Round 1 next year and says his knee injury has created an opportunity for Paddy Ryder.

""He's (Paddy) got an ambition to play in the ruck and he is more than skilled enough to play in that position,"" Hille said.

""I was surprised to hear the talk about how he might go and so on - he's a fantastic young player, he's very skilled and has a magnificent leap on him. He'll fare very well for the rest of the season.

""Paddy is going to get a good 20 games in the ruck for the rest of the year and really develop along with Tom Bellchamber who will get a few games.

""He (Paddy) is going to have some good games and is going to have some tough games and he'll be all the better it and for the team and for him and I in the future.""

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The 27-year-old ruckman is in surprisingly good spirits and says he is able to have his operation - to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament - today because the knee has responded well since the incident.

""I just want to get it done now and get into the rehab,"" he said.

""Round 1 is my goal (to return). I am looking at getting up and running later in the year and perhaps a small amount of training and then looking to coming back bigger and better.""

Hille said he had received messages of support from many players and he was lucky because his knee specialist was at the ANZAC Day game and was able to see him immediately.

""It was comforting to be able to talk through the procedure and what we will do with rehab,"" he said.

The reigning Crichton Medalist refused to be drawn into debate about Josh Fraser's game saying he is a very good player.