The depth of Essendon's list will be put to the test this weekend against Richmond with four regular senior players likely to be sidelined.
Mark Johnson will certainly miss the match against the Tigers after he was suspended by the AFL tribunal last night.
Johnson was found guilty of striking Port Adelaide skipper with an elbow prior to the first bounce.
Tribunal chairman Brian Collis deemed his actions unnecessary considering the match had not even started.
Johnson becomes the first Essendon player to be suspended by the AFL tribunal this season.
Also missing this weekend will be classy midfielder Chris Heffernan who will be sidelined for up to three matches with a strained medial ligament.
Livewire forward Gary Moorcroft is also doubtful this weekend after suffering an ankle injury against Port Adelaide.
And skipper James Hird, who had two screws inserted in his broken small finger, is also a doubtful starter this weekend.
Selectors however do have plenty of options for this weekends match.
Seasoned pair Sean Denham and Darren Bewick were both superb in the reserves win over Box Hill Hawks last weekend.
Danny Jacobs showed a welcome return to form while Paul Barnard has fully recovered from a minor shoulder injury.
Dean Rioli trained superbly tonight and he will again be considered while other possibilities include Peter Berbakov, Daniel McAlister, Judd Lalich, Mark McVeigh, Mark Bolton and Jonathon Robran.
