Essendon coach Brad Scott says the Bombers wish to play it protected with dynamic ahead Jake Stringer regardless of one other key goal battling an damage concern.
Uncertainty stays over whether or not Sam Weideman will play towards the Suns at Marvel Stadium on Sunday after he stubbed his toe whereas kicking through the Bombers’ 59-point win over Hawthorn.
Scott mentioned Weideman would “do a little bit” on Friday on the monitor because the Bombers give him each likelihood to be able to play in spherical 2.
Weideman and Stringer each started coaching with the primary group on the Bombers’ Tullamarine headquarters on Thursday morning.
“Depending on how he warms up, we might do a session indoors with him just to give him every chance of being in the best shape he can be for Sunday,” Scott mentioned.
“But there’s also a chance that he warms up and he just trains fully.
“A little bit will depend on the session, but even if he doesn’t train today, the likelihood is we’ll give him up to Sunday morning to prove his fitness.”
The plan was for Stringer to play a full sport within the VFL this weekend, the ultimate field for him to tick in his restoration, Scott mentioned.
“He will attract some attention when he comes back in, and I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do to bring a player in of his caliber when he’s not absolutely 100 per cent and had a really good prep,” Scott mentioned.
“He doesn’t need to do anything outside the regular program … this is the final bit of preparation for him to be available to play AFL footy.”
Scott mentioned a six-day break main into Essendon’s spherical 3 match towards St Kilda meant there was an opportunity Stringer is perhaps withdrawn from the sport early.
He mentioned Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who will miss with quad soreness, could take a while to return to the beginning 22 because the Bombers attempt to construct up his working hundreds through the week whereas getting the damaging ahead sufficient sport time.
Essendon is weighing up whether or not to convey Kaine Baldwin in as a defender towards the Suns, who could once more play 4 tall forwards on Sunday in drier circumstances beneath the Marvel roof than their sport final week.
“We’ve got to prepare for that … unfortunately we can’t wait to see their team before we pick ours,” Scott mentioned.
“While people might think we’re a bit undersized against four tall opposition forwards, we think we’ve got some guys who are good size and shape.
“Our team is still probably in a state of flux just based on availability and who’s absolutely clear to play.”
Source: www.news.com.au
