Defender Jordan Ridley will miss the next three weeks after suffering a hip flexor strain in Essendon’s loss to St Kilda last Saturday.

Ridley was subbed out at half-time with what was initially thought to be a corked hip from a marking contest in the second term, however follow-up scans on Monday revealed the full extent of the injury.

“Rids felt some discomfort in his hip after a marking contest just prior to half-time. We used the break to assess the injury, which we originally hoped was just a cork, but ultimately, he wasn’t able to continue, and so was subbed out of the game at half-time. Follow-up scans on Sunday morning unfortunately showed a strain to his hip flexor,” GM of Football Daniel McPherson said. 

“This latest injury is unrelated to his quad injury from earlier in the year, so while it’s still early days, at this stage we’re optimistic he will be available prior to the end of the home and away season”.

Midfielder Darcy Parish made his long-awaited return from a calf injury over the weekend and got through the game without issue.

Mid-season draftee Saad El-Hawli has ramped up his running and will look to further increase his training loads this week, eyeing off a return to play in two weeks’ time.

Player Injury Estimated Return
33. Alwyn Davey Jnr

33. Alwyn Davey Jnr

Knee 1 week

Davey Jnr underwent surgery on his meniscus in pre-season, but is expected to be available very early in season 2025.

15. Jayden Laverde

15. Jayden Laverde

Hip flexor 2 weeks

Laverde is battling a hip flexor issue, aiming for a return early in the season.

3. Darcy Parish

3. Darcy Parish

Back 3 weeks

Parish continues to progress from a niggling back complaint over the pre-season.

35. Matt Guelfi

35. Matt Guelfi

Hamstring 8-9 weeks

Guelfi had surgery on his hamstring back in February, looking to be available in the second half of season 2025.

20. Peter Wright

20. Peter Wright

Ankle 4-6 weeks

Wright suffered a high-grade ankle injury in Saturday's VFL practice match, ruling him out for the start of the season.

13. Nik Cox

13. Nik Cox

Concussion TBC

Cox is managing lingering symptoms from a pre-season concussion sustained in December.

33. Alwyn Davey Jnr

33. Alwyn Davey Jnr

Davey Jnr underwent surgery on his meniscus in pre-season, but is expected to be available very early in season 2025.

Injury: Knee
Est. Return: 1 week
15. Jayden Laverde

15. Jayden Laverde

Laverde is battling a hip flexor issue, aiming for a return early in the season.

Injury: Hip flexor
Est. Return: 2 weeks
3. Darcy Parish

3. Darcy Parish

Parish continues to progress from a niggling back complaint over the pre-season.

Injury: Back
Est. Return: 3 weeks
35. Matt Guelfi

35. Matt Guelfi

Guelfi had surgery on his hamstring back in February, looking to be available in the second half of season 2025.

Injury: Hamstring
Est. Return: 8-9 weeks
20. Peter Wright

20. Peter Wright

Wright suffered a high-grade ankle injury in Saturday's VFL practice match, ruling him out for the start of the season.

Injury: Ankle
Est. Return: 4-6 weeks
13. Nik Cox

13. Nik Cox

Cox is managing lingering symptoms from a pre-season concussion sustained in December.

Injury: Concussion
Est. Return: TBC

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