Essendon livewire Alwyn Davey Jnr is within the combine for a round-one AFL debut towards Hawthorn, however there’s nonetheless no agency timeframe on Jake Stringer’s return from damage.
Stringer, who has a hamstring difficulty, was the one participant lacking from the Bombers’ ahead line in Friday’s 35-point follow match defeat to St Kilda, during which they managed simply three objectives.
The explosive 28-year-old is progressing in his rehabilitation forward of the date with the Hawks on March 19.
“He’s coming along nicely,” Essendon assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa stated on Friday.
“In terms of time frame, I’m not sure, but he’s out on the track and doing some running.
“He’ll take part with abilities because the weeks go on.”
Davey was one of the Bombers’ goal-kickers against St Kilda in their final practice match, roving a pack and snapping the first major of the day.
The 19-year-old father-son recruit, whose twin brother Jayden joined him at the Bombers through last year’s draft, had seven touches in the first term and was lively throughout the first half.
Giansiracusa did not guarantee Davey a spot in the side against Hawthorn but said the Bombers have been thrilled with the youngster’s progress.
“He’s been fairly thrilling … one our followers can undoubtedly get enthusiastic about,” Giansiracusa stated.
“The opposition undoubtedly know when he is round.
“The challenge with a younger player is how long he can do it for but so far every post is a winner for him.
“We’re undoubtedly actually enthusiastic about what he is been doing up to now.”
Fellow forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has some work to do as he plots his comeback after a year out of the game.
The 29-year-old had six disposals and three tackles against St Kilda, and missed an early set shot at goal in blustery conditions.
“It’s a problem for any participant to be away for that lengthy however I feel we’re seeing nice indicators and we’ll proceed to see that, so he isn’t distant,” Giansiracusa stated.
“If he can proceed to sort out and chase down opposition – we all know what he is like round purpose, he would not want too many alternatives – he is exhibiting that for us and hopefully he continues to enhance.”
Essendon are sweating on the result of scans on Jye Caldwell’s left ankle after he was helped off the field during the third quarter on Friday.
The midfielder played no further part in the practice match.
“With these scans, you by no means know what pops up … however we’re hopeful that he needs to be okay,” Giansiracusa stated.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au