Star duo Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard are likely to sit out of Essendon’s opening NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast in just under two weeks.

Coach Mark Thompson said the pair are expected to miss the first match as the Bombers continue their preparations for the commencement of the 2014 season.

“We will probably play our more experienced guys in the last two matches,” Thompson said.

“Most of the guys will play, because we will have 40 to pick from so it is not a bad thing because we are quite healthy at this stage.”

The Bombers kick off their NAB Challenge campaign against the Suns at Metricon Stadium on February 17.

Thompson said the team would be looking to win as many games as possible throughout the pre-season competition.

“We are still going to continue to train hard during that period, you may not see our best footy but that doesn’t mean we are not going out to win.”  

“We are taking it seriously and going to try and win but at the same time we are not going to take any risks with injured players if they are a bit sore.”

Thompson expects a number of midfielders to play a key role in a more flexible forward line for the Bombers in 2014.

“We have a whole host of midfielders who can move forward, so we have quite a flexible midfield group,” he said.

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