Most Essendon supporters forget that Andrew Welsh is only in his second year of senior football. The 20-year-old has been a regular senior player since arriving at the club, therefore his absence last week from the team didn't go unnoticed. Welsh missed with a shoulder injury but the good news is according to coach Kevin Sheedy that he is likely to return for the Bulldogs game. ""Welsh is a good chance to play but Paul Barnard will definitely not play,"" Sheedy said at training this afternoon.

Sheedy ruled Adam Ramanauskas out of the selection race for the Round 19 match. Ramanauskas rolled his ankle in the second quarter of the game against Carlton and took no further part in the match. The 22-year-old spent time in the pool earlier in the week but hasn't been on the track.

There has been speculation this week regarding the selection of Mark Mercuri for this Sunday’s match. Sheedy said the dual premiership player is no certainty to line up against the Bulldogs. ""It depends on the selectors and we have selection tonight. He played pretty well against Melbourne so that will give him a chance. You wouldn't pick him on last week's performance but you don't always go on last week's performance - that is the art of selection. He has to play better than that and so does a number of other players,"" Sheedy said.

Jobe Watson has missed the last three matches with groin soreness. If all goes to plan for the remainder of the week, the 18-year-old is likely to line-up for the Bendigo Bombers. ""He will play most likely in the VFL this week, which is pleasing. Bendigo have been playing pretty well - they have won their last six matches so if Jobe can get back and play a game it will be pretty handy for them.""

Rookie Ben Haynes was promoted to the senior list last week and made his senior Essendon debut against Carlton. Sheedy hinted that the coaching panel might elevate another rookie onto the senior list if the club puts Joel Reynolds on the long-term injury list. ""I wouldn't be surprised if we brought another rookie onto the list this week. We may play another rookie like we did with Ben Haynes last week. The rookies have been in good form and we just have to keep looking at what our best side will be over the next four weeks,"" Sheedy said.

The four-time premiership coach suggested that if a rookie were promoted it would be either - Courtney Johns, Toby McGrath or Ken Hall. Sheedy said they have all been in good form for Bendigo and are ready to play senior football.

The win against Carlton last week put the Bombers in the top eight for the first time since Round 8. Sheedy said his team has to continue winning to feature in the finals action. ""We have to get in the eight and stay in the eight - we are not in the top eight with regard to finals. I have said that to the players forget where we are positioned now, we have a lot of work to do to make sure we get to the finals series. We have a lot of work to do and everyone in the place needs to lift and are capable of lifting.""