Matthew Knights says Brent Stanton is a near certainty to return for the Bombers' blockbuster Anzac Day clash, with Mark McVeigh and Angus Monfries also looking likely.

 

All three players will be put through their paces at tomorrow's main training session to prove they are ready to return from injury.
 
“Stanton, McVeigh and Monfries will have a real dig at our main training session tomorrow and we will see how they go from there in order to make decisions on those guys leading into Anzac Day,” Knights said to Bomber.tv today.

 

“I think Stanton is almost there, he just has to clear a few hurdles at tomorrow’s training session.  Angus is more than 50/50 and Mark is around that range as well.
 
""He (McVeigh) played in the VFL last weekend and played about 80–90 minutes and pulled up from the game reasonably well. I think he is feeling like he will be right and we will go pretty hard in the session tomorrow and have a look at him.

 

“To get those three guys back into the senior line-up would be fantastic but they all have to come through.”
 
Click here to book a Glory & Fame tour of Windy Hill on Friday, 23rd April.

 

Should the trio be deemed fit to return, Knights says they are likely to replace younger players in the line-up with his more experienced players expected to survive the chopping block.

 

“We don’t have a lot of senior men and they will definitely be staying in the line-up because we need their guidance and support out there,” he said.

 

“I expect a turnover of two or three players and we will keep on trying the mix.

 

“We are a side that has already played around 30 to 32 players this year and so I have turned over the team a fair bit. We are still trying to work out as a match committee and as a club who our best 22 is and their best positions and we will continue to work on that and make changes accordingly.“

 

Speaking at today’s Dick Reynolds Club Anzac Day lunch, Knights said the club would spend time this week reflecting on the Anzac spirit and would work it into their preparation leading into the game.

 

“We had our Jack Jones academy down at the Shrine today and we have also got a bit of theming on Friday with our playing group so it is a marvellous week,” he said.

 

“I feel very honoured to be involved in the week. The brave women and men who have come before us and fought in the wars are the reason that we are all here today so it is a magic day and we are very proud and honoured to be involved and I know our players are looking forward to it.”
 
Click here to bid on a unique piece of Anzac Day memorabilia.

 

Knights said he does not subscribe to the theory that the traditional Anzac Day clash should be shared among other AFL teams.

 

“It is a great tradition shared between Essendon and Collingwood,” he said.

 

“The club has been amazing in celebrating the day and being a part of the day and when you get a packed house it is amazing.

 

“Even when I wasn’t involved with Essendon, it seemed like it just was the way it was and the way it should be and we feel that way and we are proud to be involved.

 

“We will be fighting tooth and nail to make sure that it continues.”
 
Fan Update: Watch the Essendon squad train for 45mins at 10am Saturday, 24th April at Windy Hill in the lead-up to Sunday's big ANZAC Day blockbuster.
 
There will also be an opportunity to purchase the latest Essendon merchandise, visit the Hall of Fame or sign up as a 2010 member.