Essendon coach John Worsfold says there are several options to consider to fill the void left by injured forward Mitch Brown against Geelong at the MCG on Sunday.

Brown suffered a fractured wrist in last week’s narrow Anzac Day loss to Collingwood and is expected to be on the sidelines for the next three games.

The setback has further stretched the club’s forward depth following injuries to Shaun McKernan, James Stewart and Jayden Laverde, but Worsfold is confident the side can cover the latest loss.

Usual defender Aaron Francis was swung forward to effect in the VFL on Saturday once Laverde succumbed to a hamstring injury, booting two goals in an encouraging display, and Worsfold said the young Bomber is among the key chances to be named this week.

“Francis gets the nod to be an option that we look at, absolutely,” Worsfold said on Thursday.

“We’ve got a few options that we’re considering, Aaron is certainly one of those, but we’ll make that call once we get through training.”

The prospect of playing a second ruckman is also a realistic chance, with Zac Clarke in the mix to return from a calf injury and young ruck Sam Draper knocking down the selection door off the back of another sensational VFL performance.

“We can go with a second ruckman like we’ve used in that past, whether that’s Zac Clarke or Sam Draper.”

Sam Draper gathered 20 disposals and 47 hitouts against Collingwood last week. (Image: Ben Johnstone)

But with Orazio Fantasia remaining a chance to return from illness and versatile forward Josh Begley among those performing well in the VFL, Worsfold didn’t rule out using a shorter line-up.

“The other option is that we can not bring in an extra taller player and go with a smaller forward line set-up.”

The Bombers have matched up well with the Cats in the last two years, emerging victorious in both clashes including an impressive 34-point success in last year’s edition of the Country Game.

Worsfold said it is important not to read too much into that form given the style and personnel changes at both clubs since their last battle.

“There’s a subtle relevance there, but not a lot.

“We’re certainly not sitting here thinking, ‘Let’s just replicate exactly what happened last year’, we’re looking at what we’re doing this year.

“We’ve made some changes, Geelong has made some changes, so it’s two teams going differently at it.”

One of the key players behind the Cats’ strong form this season is Gary Ablett, who has recaptured some of his best form to lead the way in the forward line.

Worsfold has a plethora of defenders at his disposal to take on the veteran including former Sun Adam Saad, who played alongside Ablett at Gold Coast.

“We’ve got a few defenders that have been back there a fair bit, so you can pick one of those out; (Conor) McKenna, Saad, Mason Redman, Andy McGrath,” Worsfold said.

“(Saad has) played with him, he might have done some pre-season on him so he might know the secrets.

“You always have that debate (about how to beat Ablett). Everyone knows how to get him, but not many have ever been able to do it.

“Whichever way we go, we’ll be confident that we’ll get a match up that will compete really hard and have an absolute crack at playing their role for us.”

Adam Saad is in career-best form and could line up on former teammate Gary Ablett this week. (Image: AFL Photos)

Extended squads for the match will be announced at 6:20pm on Thursday, with the Bombers’ final team to be confirmed at 5pm on Friday.