Tough as teak on-baller Jason Johnson left the training track early tonight but will play against Sydney this Friday night. Johnson completed the warm-up and some early kicking drills before heading inside for the night. Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said there was no doubt Johnson would play against the Swans. ""He has had a pretty tough season to date. He played in every Ansett Cup and practice match and has done a lot of work for us in the last couple of weeks. We just wanted to freshen him up a bit,"" Drain said.
The players were put through a tough 90-minute session and looked sharp as they prepare to face an in-form Sydney. Dean Rioli ran laps as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury while Joe Misisi watched training on crutches after undergoing arthroscopic surgery earlier this week.
The Bombers selection panel faces some tough decisions this week with Matthew Lloyd (suspension), Gary Moorcroft (suspension) and Joe Misiti (injured) all certain to miss. Speaking to media prior to training Kevin Sheedy hinted that they might not be the only three changes. Sheedy also said that in his mind Sydney were firm favorites to win the match.
""They were very good against the Kanagroos last weekend and have made an excellent start to the season,"" Sheedy said after training. ""We are missing players, they are at home ... they really should be favorites to win the match. Year in, year out people make the mistake of thinking the premiers from the previous year will dominate the following season. This group still has plenty to prove in 2001.""
In other late breaking news, Sydney Swans on-baller Daryn Cresswell has been cited on video evidence. Cresswell has been charged with striking Kangaroo Brady Rawlings in the third quarter of last Saturday night's game at the SCG. A time for the tribunal hearing is still to be set.
