Essendon received a timely boost to start off Grand Final week with news that captain James Hird and Mark Mercuri have both been cleared of major injury following the Bombers Preliminary Final victory over Hawthorn last Saturday. Hird and Mercuri were both assessed today and although neither trained this afternoon they are expected on the track later this week. Mercuri had his ankle scanned and has no bone or ligament damage and he looks a certain starter this weekend. Hird was never in serious doubt but will not train until later in the week as a precautionary measure.

The Bombers were put through a 40-minute high-intensity training session this afternoon. Dustin Fletcher did not join in full-scale training, instead doing some light skills work with rookie Damien Peverill. Michael Long left the track early to do some work indoors as did Adam Ramanauskas. The players looked sharp during the session which was attended by about 500 fans.