Scans will determine the full extent of the injuries to key players Ben Howlett and Jason Winderlich, after the pair succumbed to hamstring concerns following the club's four-point loss to Adelaide yesterday.
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General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said the club remained hopeful the injuries were minor.
“In terms of the depth of the injuries, we are still awaiting scan results but we do know that they have both sustained a minor hamstring injury,” Hamilton said.
“Because it is their hamstring, they are likely to be out for a minimum of two to three weeks, which is incredibly disappointing for both Ben, Jason and the club.”
Click here to view the full injury list.
Despite the mounting injuries, the club is set to welcome back a number of key players, including Dustin Fletcher, ahead of the crucial blockbuster clash against North Melbourne on Sunday.
“We hope that Fletch returns this week,” Hamilton said.
“He was a little sore from the previous week which wasn’t a major concern, but we hope that he improves over the course of this week to front up for what is a really important game for us.
“It will also be a welcome return for Stewart Crameri, Angus Monfries and Michael Hibberd who are all in line as a chance for senior selection.
“We all love the type of player that Stew is and the run that he provides for the team and Angus does the same. Hibberd has been important for us this year too so they are three very important inclusions that, along with Fletch, will greatly assist us,” he said.
General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said the club remained hopeful the injuries were minor.
“In terms of the depth of the injuries, we are still awaiting scan results but we do know that they have both sustained a minor hamstring injury,” Hamilton said.
“Because it is their hamstring, they are likely to be out for a minimum of two to three weeks, which is incredibly disappointing for both Ben, Jason and the club.”
Click here to view the full injury list.
Despite the mounting injuries, the club is set to welcome back a number of key players, including Dustin Fletcher, ahead of the crucial blockbuster clash against North Melbourne on Sunday.
“We hope that Fletch returns this week,” Hamilton said.
“He was a little sore from the previous week which wasn’t a major concern, but we hope that he improves over the course of this week to front up for what is a really important game for us.
“It will also be a welcome return for Stewart Crameri, Angus Monfries and Michael Hibberd who are all in line as a chance for senior selection.
“We all love the type of player that Stew is and the run that he provides for the team and Angus does the same. Hibberd has been important for us this year too so they are three very important inclusions that, along with Fletch, will greatly assist us,” he said.
Hamilton said the club had yet to rule out Patrick Ryder for this week’s clash, however stressed that a cautious approach would be taken with his return.
“Paddy is doing really well with his recovery, but we think we would be tempting fate if we brought him back a week early,” he said.
“David Zaharakis is on a similar trajectory in terms of the timeline with his return, and while we haven’t completely ruled out Paddy for this week, we think he is still probably only one more week away.”
Hamilton also noted the recent form of new recruit Jackson Merrett, after the 19-year old had a best on ground performance for Bendigo in their 14-point loss to Collingwood on Saturday.
“Some of our young guys are really starting to stand up and play good football. Young Jackson Merrett was our best player and he is starting to get in to some really good form,"" he said.
""It is great to see our young players, like Elliott Kavanagh, in good form and playing good football.”
Essendon face a red-hot North Melbourne side in another Sunday afternoon blockbuster clash at Etihad Stadium.
“They (North) have been in terrific form and on a roll but on the weekend we showed a real good turn around in our form so it should be a great clash and one that is certainly very important for us.”
“Some of our young guys are really starting to stand up and play good football. Young Jackson Merrett was our best player and he is starting to get in to some really good form,"" he said.
""It is great to see our young players, like Elliott Kavanagh, in good form and playing good football.”
Essendon face a red-hot North Melbourne side in another Sunday afternoon blockbuster clash at Etihad Stadium.
“They (North) have been in terrific form and on a roll but on the weekend we showed a real good turn around in our form so it should be a great clash and one that is certainly very important for us.”
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