Intriguing nights at the selection table are awaiting the Bombers as they gear up for some big primetime fixtures.

With their tests coming in the form of Adelaide on the road and the traditional Anzac Day clash with Collingwood over the coming fortnight, the Dons could benefit from the returns of Peter Wright (suspension) and Matt Guelfi (injury) for the latter fixture.

Whilst appreciative of the challenges that come with selection, Senior Coach Brad Scott is ensuring that the Bombers’ fight for individual spots remains competitive, making no promises or certainties for anyone.

“There are no guarantees for anyone,” Scott said.

“Our Captain (Zach Merrett) sets the example there, you play each game like it’s your last and you don’t get games gifted to you. We’re not about necessarily trying to look at what our side’s going to look like next week (or) next year, it’s about trying to get our players to prepare as best they can.

“I’d love to have the luxury of having all those players available and then be forced into a very difficult position, but the reality is we’re 3-2. We’re not sitting on top of the ladder flying, thinking we can manipulate selection to manage individuals, we’ve got to pick the best team that we have available to win each game.

“Some weeks you get opportunity, other weeks you don’t.”

In the absence of Wright, the Bombers’ forward mix of Kyle Langford, Jake Stringer and Harry Jones have been firing, combining for seven goals in Friday’s big win over the Bulldogs.

Jones in particular has impressed Scott, bouncing back from several injury setbacks and interruptions in previous years to piece together a consistent run of form at the top level.

“When I arrived at the club at the end of 2022, (Harry) had completed only a few sessions in the entirety of pre-season leading into last year,” Scott said.

“His prep made it really difficult for him through no fault of his own. He had back stress fractures, some ankle issues, but he’s had an unimpeded run (this year), he’s been able to train really strongly, and now he’s getting rewards on the back of that preparation.

“We want our players to prepare as best they can and we’ll give them the opportunity as it arises. ‘Jonesy’ had his opportunity and he’s taken it, so that’s a great credit to him and a great lesson for everyone.”

The successful return of Dylan Shiel from injury via the VFL last Friday has added another component for the Bombers’ match committee to consider, especially with the midfield unit playing such a critical role in last week’s result.

Accumulating 18 disposals and six clearances on managed minutes, Shiel’s given solid proof of a readiness to return, but Scott will be keen to assess his options in the middle of the park without any rush.

“(Dylan) will train fully today and we’ll make a decision, we’d love to have him back in our side but our match committee always take the view that we want him back for good, we don’t want him back less than 100 per cent,” Scott said.

“He played well, he’s had a pretty good ramp in terms of his build to get back to AFL footy. He just had a minor oblique muscle strain which hampered him a little bit but the way he played on the weekend was really encouraging.”

As far as the role Shiel could play within an evolving midfield group, Scott is typically focused on harnessing his players’ strengths, however that looks.

Scott believes the answer to finding an optimal layout for the starting 23 will become clearer once the Dons have more players available, with Archie Perkins and Will Setterfield another pair waiting to break back into the line-up once they’ve recovered from injury.

“It’s a question we’re working through ourselves and it’s not a straight up answer,” Scott said.

“Perkins and Setterfield out, the question becomes more (about) when they’re all available, what it looks like, but that’ll be a great problem to have.

“Dylan’s a thorough professional, a supreme athlete, and Dylan Shiel at his best is going to be a real asset for us. We just want him displaying the attributes we know he can, and once we get him back in, we’ll select the role that’s best for the team.

Regardless of age or experience, Scott is hoping that the standards are clear for any players in line for a return.

“I expect players to have the attitude that they’re setting themselves up to play the best football of their careers,” Scott said.

“We don’t have players at our club who are here to play VFL footy, they’re here to play AFL and they’re here to try and produce their best on a regular basis.”

This Friday’s clash with Adelaide marks the Dons’ third consecutive Friday night game, and the wider club is embracing their increased exposure to primetime footy in the early stages of the year.

“Friday night games are where you want to play, it’s a big opportunity for the club and the players,” Scott said.

“We’re a very fortunate football club that we get to play in big games on a big stage, so it’s another great opportunity for us to go out, perform and play well.”