Essendon appears poised to reintroduce three key players – All-Australian midfielder Darcy Parish, star ruckman Sam Draper, and rising talent Ben Hobbs – for their upcoming match against Sydney this weekend.
According to Coach Brad Scott, all three players are expected to be medically cleared for selection before Thursday’s team announcement. However, their inclusion will ultimately depend on their performance during training sessions.
Sam Draper, who underwent significant groin surgery last September, has participated in three VFL matches as part of his rehabilitation process. Despite Coach Scott’s cautious approach towards Draper’s return, it seems probable that he will be chosen for the upcoming match against Sydney, provided he demonstrates satisfactory performance in training.
Darcy Parish, who recently recovered from a hamstring injury, is also likely to be available for selection. However, there is deliberation regarding how his return might impact the positioning of emerging talent Archie Perkins within the team.
Ben Hobbs, a promising 20-year-old player, suffered a shoulder injury during preseason activities in February. While initially expected to return earlier, the decision was made to prioritize his full recovery before reintroducing him to AFL matches. Coach Scott expressed confidence in Hobbs’ readiness to play at the AFL level, indicating that he might feature in the team either this week or the following.
Veteran player Dylan Shiel is still recovering from a foot injury and remains uncertain for selection. Coach Scott emphasized the need for Shiel to undergo further conditioning before being considered for competitive matches, given his extended absence from playing.
Regarding the decision not to contest Mason Redman’s suspension for striking an opponent, Coach Scott explained that the club received advice suggesting it would be futile to challenge the ruling. Consequently, Redman will be sidelined for one match.
Despite this setback, the potential return of Parish, Draper, and Hobbs provides a positive outlook for the Bombers as they aim for a 2-0 start to the 2024 season against Sydney at the SCG this Saturday night.
