In more positive signs for Essendon, Dustin Fletcher trained solidly with the group after being a late withdrawal from the St Kilda match with the flu.
""We honestly thought he would play last week, but we just didn’t want to take the risk on Gehrig. Once you become ill you lack a lot of power on your body and that is what illness can do to you,"" Sheedy explained.
""So we just went with Solomon who is a pretty strong player and tried to get him and McPhee to back up and play those central positions in defence and it was a very good team effort.
""I think the other players that are important that we have put into the side are the young players who are gaining attention and gaining confidence. When you can see players like Lovett-Murray and Lovett coming through the midfield with the speed they have got it really hastens up our midfield and that is really important.""
And while the win against St Kilda has kept the season alive, the coach is now just looking forward to the next challenge, which looms as another vital if match the Bombers are to make the finals.
""We now just have to play the Kangaroos, we are probably the last group that has got a chance still.""
With Fletcher fit, the return of the full back will pose some selection issues for coaching panel in what was an extremely even team performance.
""We are going with the players who are playing well, we’ll bring one or two in maybe.
""We have Fletcher to come back and there will be another couple that will come into consideration and keep the pressure on around the team.
""There are probably one or two players I would like to look at again, maybe a Dyson and those sort of players that haven’t had a decent crack at the seniors this year.""
Watch Kevin Sheedy’s full press conference in Bomber.tv.
