Essendon may unleash final yr’s prime draft decide Elijah Tsatas in a bid to restart their spluttering finals marketing campaign towards West Coast on Saturday, with coach Brad Scott declaring the No.5 choice is “knocking the door down” within the VFL.
The Bombers are not any nearer to figuring out when Sam Draper (hip), Jake Stringer (foot) and Dylan Shiel (foot) will return, however Scott insisted the trio, together with star defender Jordan Ridley, who’s listed as 5 to seven weeks away, had been working by their rehab applications with the objective of returning this season.
Tsatas although is the frontrunner for inclusion towards the Eagles, with the Bombers dedicated to bringing fellow on-baller Will Setterfield again through the decrease degree this week.
“I wouldn’t want to speculate one way or the other because we genuinely don’t know, but they’re certainly a chance (to return this season) – they’re showing good enough signs that we’re pushing (them) really strongly,” Scott mentioned.
“By no means have we put them on ice and said they won’t play again.
“Ridley fits that category as well – he’s rehabbing with a view to playing this year.”
Scott mentioned Setterfield could be eased again in after being cleared to return from a foot damage that has sidelined him since spherical 9.
The Carlton recruit performed each sport at AFL degree earlier than the damage in what was shaping as a breakout season, averaging 22 disposals, six tackles and three clearances.
“He’s been training really strongly … he’s available for senior selection, but he’s missed quite a big chunk of footy, so he’ll play VFL footy this week, which is a really important step forward for him and for us to get him back in our team,” Scott mentioned.
Tsatas has emerged as a pacesetter of the Bombers’ VFL midfield since his return from knee surgical procedure two months in the past, however Scott couldn’t assure him a debut.
“I think trying to select the side before you’ve had your main training session … for me, it’s always fraught with danger,” he mentioned.
“Everyone has to remember he missed over three months with a knee surgery right on the eve of the season, so it’s been a long, slow build for Elijah.
“His performances are really starting to knock the door down, so he’s very, very close.”
Scott acknowledged that the strongest finals groups tended to have a comparatively clear invoice of well being late within the season however mentioned the absence of senior gamers was serving to him to develop depth in his first season on the membership.
“Every team at this time of year would love to have their full complement, and that’s probably consistent with the top teams who are competitive right at the pointy end of September – most of them have got pretty close to full availability,” he mentioned.
“We’re in the first year of building a foundation for our football club that we think is going to hold us in good stead for a long time to come … while you’d like to have all your personnel available, getting other players into the team is a big bonus for us.”
Source: www.news.com.au
