""The pressure will be on every week and it will be like that for the next five weeks no matter if we win or lose. It will be like that for all the teams around the eight who are in a similar position to us – Sydney, Fremantle and West Coast. There is probably five teams vying for two or three spots.""
Sheedy said that he could make up to five changes for the Port game and confirmed that Hird and Fletcher will play. ""There is no good playing them (Hird and Fletcher) injured. We were playing a very good side in St Kilda and we need them for the last five games,"" he said.
Sheedy said they would monitor Dean Rioli (hamstring) and Scott Lucas’ (hamstring) progress during the week and make a decision later in the week if they play.
Essendon has won just one of its past six matches and after its 35-point defeat on Friday night slipped out of the top eight. ""We hoped that we could be up there with a better opportunity than we have at the moment. As most clubs find out you lose players, a little bit of your consistency and confidence drops away.
""We are still there with an opportunity and a chance still. With five games left it is up to us. In the end, we will fight for our chance.""
Essendon veteran Mark Mercuri returned to the seniors last Friday night, after one week in the VFL and seven weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. He collected seven possessions and didn’t have an influence on the game. Sheedy did not rule Mercuri out of selection for the Port game, but said he will have to earn his spot.
""We will pick our best side whether Mercuri is there or not. It is up to him and the way he trains this week,"" Sheedy said.
""Any player that gets seven touches in a game will be looked at. He is probably a player that is in and out of the side at the moment. We will pick out what players suit to win the game, no matter who we are playing.""
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