Essendon excitement machine Kyle Reimers will miss the next 6-8 weeks with a fractured hand sustained in Sunday’s Anzac Day clash with Collingwood.

Coach Matthew Knights said the extent of the injury was confirmed this morning, admitting the 21-year-old would be a big loss to the side.

Reimers’ injury follows that of fellow young-gun Tayte Pears who will miss the same period of time with a fractured radius (arm) but Knights is confident they will make an impact when they return later in the year.
Watch the full Matthew Knights media conference - including his response to criticism by Hawthorn's Dermott Brereton - by clicking here.
“It’s a blow for two players who are showing a bit at this stage in their careers,” Knights said.

“They are going to have a stint on the sidelines and come back and make an impact later in the year.”

Former Hawthorn sharpshooter Mark Williams is also unlikely to play against his former club this weekend after struggling to overcome an ankle injury.

“Mark Williams is probably unlikely for this weekend. He’s going to gradually build up with some extra running but I wouldn’t have thought he’d be available for this week,” Knights said.

Despite the injuries to key players, Knights says he has the artillery required to match Hawthorn on Saturday night with a number of players presenting well in the VFL.

“We just have to adjust and I am pretty confident the other guys can do well,” he said.

“We have still got Dustin and Cale down back and young Tyson Slattery is going really well down in the VFL, as well as Kyle Hardingham.

“David Myers, Jarrod Atkinson, Kyle Hardingham, Sam Lonergan and Alwyn Davey all playing well and have had strong performances for Bendigo over the past two weeks.
""They will get their opportunities in due course.”
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Knights wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a Jay Neagle return but said he would continue to provide his senior players with opportunities despite many struggling to find form.

“Jay Neagle is progressing well in the VFL and I think it is really important that the next time Jay comes into the team that he feels physically and mentally ready to go. He has got the desire and hunger to make it, it is just a matter of when,” he said.
“I’ll be playing McVeigh, Winderlich and Ryders again, pending their health and injury. They are all important players for us, we need their best and I will be supporting them as the head coach and backing them in.”
Important fan update:

Essendon's 'home' match on Saturday night against Hawthorn is also a designated ‘home’ match for Hawks General Admission (GA) members because they play four home games in Tasmania so get the opportunity to attend four ‘away’ matches in Melbourne as ‘home’ matches.

 

As such, all Essendon Bronze GA members should get to the game as early as possible to ensure they get a seat in the GA designated area.

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