Essendon young gun Adam McPhee will miss next week's must win game against the Western Bulldogs with a hamstring strain. Speaking immediately after tonight's 20-point loss to Sydney, Kevin Sheedy said that McPhee will definitely be sidelined for the Round 22 match and is in doubt for the first week of finals, if Essendon make it.

McPhee injured his left hamstring after attempting to spoil Sydney's Barry Hall in a marking contest. The injury occured at the 16 minute mark of the opening term and the 21-year immediately left the field.