Essendon captain Dyson Heppell is a chance to return to the side this week for the Bombers’ important clash with fellow finals contender North Melbourne.
Heppell was a late withdrawal from the team’s 10-point victory over Sydney last week due to a sore foot, but he remains in the mix for selection to take on the Kangaroos on Saturday.
“Dyson has an unfused growth plate in his foot, he also has the same in his other side, which he eventually had pinned a few years ago,” club physical performance manager Justin Crow said on Tuesday.
“From time to time that gets sore. He was at the point at the end of last week where that soreness wasn’t at the point where we were prepared to put him into a game.
“We’ve given him a bit of time in the moon boot to see how much that settles this week and we’ll be testing him towards the end of this week to see whether or not he becomes available to play.”
Dyson Heppell will have to prove his fitness on the track this week. (Image: AFL Photos)
Fellow experienced Bomber Michael Hurley is likely to put his hand up for selection after undertaking precautionary scans on Monday.
Hurley impressed with 23 disposals, 12 marks, nine intercept possessions and eight rebound 50s against the Swans and Crow expects the key defender to be made available this weekend.
“Michael has been managing his hips over a few years now. We just got a scan to check the current state of that hip joint.
“He’ll be monitored throughout this week, but we’re hopeful that he’ll be available come match day.”
The news isn’t so bright for young Bomber Kobe Mutch, whose poor luck on the injury front continued in the VFL side’s defeat of Coburg on Sunday.
“Kobe got a knock to his knee cap, which meant he was unable to complete the game,” Crow said.
“We had that scanned and he has a fracture in that knee cap, so unfortunately for Kobe he will need some time on the sidelines to get that better.
“We’ll seek specialist advice on the best way forward. At this stage it looks unlikely to need surgery, but it will possibly mean an extended stint away from playing.”
Kobe Mutch’s unfortunate run with injury continued on the weekend. (Image: AFL Photos)
Young defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher had his own injury troubles against the Lions, suffering a compound finger dislocation, but he was stitched up after the game and is expected to take his place on the field against North at either VFL or AFL level on Saturday.
Crow also provided an update on injured trio Patrick Ambrose (quad), Tom Bellchambers (calf) and Irving Mosquito (hamstring), with Ambrose currently leading the race to return.
“Patrick Ambrose is doing well. He’ll be out there at training this week kicking on his opposite side and making a case for selection in the next couple of weeks.
Ambrose is making good progress from a quad injury. (Image: AFL Photos)
“Tom Bellchambers has been pretty slow to get going so far. Given we’re estimating a six-week injury, he’s not quite at the point where he could run yet.
“We’ll just be seeing his progress over the next week or two and making the best decision about how to bring him up towards the end of the season.
“Irving is back running completing a hamstring rehabilitation program. We’ll get him built up and fit again and hopefully ready to play in a few weeks’ time.”
The club continues to take a patient approach to forward James Stewart’s rehabilitation from a groin injury.
“James is just completing his groin rehabilitation. We’re not prepared to put him out there until he gets that completely symptom free.
“We haven’t got to that point yet and we’ll keep going until that time.”
The senior side will take on the Roos from 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium on Saturday following the VFL Bombers’ clash with North Melbourne at Windy Hill from midday.
