The last time the two sides played was in the 2002 first semi final at AAMI Stadium. Port took the honours that night and ended the Bombers' finals campaign. Essendon was also undermanned in that game - Fletcher and Lloyd were both sidelined. Essendon supporters will be hoping that there are a few things different this Friday night compared to the last time the two teams played. Firstly, Lloyd and Fletcher line-up for the Bombers and secondly - the final scoreline will be in Essendon's favour.
Lloyd was a late withdrawal from the match against Hawthorn with a sore quad. The dual Coleman medallist was given until Friday to prove his fitness. Unfortunately he didn't get up for the match but the good news is he is a chance to play this week against Port Adelaide. He ran laps at training this afternoon and Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy said he would be disappointed if Lloyd, Fletcher and Rioli all didn’t play. ""I think he will get up but if not we will play the next best kid. If he doesn’t play it is an opportunity and we saw that with one or two of our kids last weekend who helped us get up and win the game. Other players become the go to player and you can find out how good they are,"" Sheedy said.
Hird was also replaced in the selected side on Friday night, despite earlier in the week looking to have overcome the severe cork he received to his calf in the match against Richmond. The skipper didn't pass a fitness test on Friday leading up to the Round 8 match and therefore wasn't available to play. ""James did everything possible to get himself right for the match against Hawthorn. Unfortunately in the end the clock ran against him. It is the worst corky I have ever seen in my time at the club,"" fitness coach John Quinn said.
Hird wasn’t on the track this afternoon and Sheedy said at this stage he is a 70% chance of playing. ""He has a calf problem where he got kneed. We just have to be careful and make sure it doesn't become a tear,"" Sheedy said.
Fletcher's up and down season with suspension and then injury has continued over recent weeks. The All Australian defender has missed the last two matches with strained ankle ligaments. Depending on what happens on the training track this week Fletcher should be a certain starter against Port Adelaide. ""At this stage I see no reason why Dustin won't be available to play on Friday night. We gave him an extra week to make sure he is 100% fit and has overcome the ankle injury,"" Quinn said.
Another player set to return this Friday night is Rioli. Rioli strained his hamstring in the Round 6 match against Fremantle and has been working over time with the physios to overcome the injury. ""Dean is another player that maybe could have played last week but once again we did not think it was worth the risk. He is now back in full training and we are expecting him to play this week. Sometimes it is better to give your players that extra bit of time to ensure they are 100% right,"" Quinn said.
Other good news for the Bombers is Aaron Henneman is expected to be available to play in the coming weeks. A groin injury has prevented Henneman from playing this season and the 22-year-old is eager to get back out on the field. ""Aaron had a nerve injury in his groin area. He had an operation earlier in the year and has made good progress. He is back running and should be available for selection in the next week or two."" Ramanauskas will continue to do light running work this week in a bid to return from surgery he had earlier in the year.
Ted Richards made a big impression on Bomber supporters and Sheedy with his performance against Hawthorn. “He presented himself very well at centre half forward for us – his second and third efforts were terrific,” Sheedy said. Over the past two seasons Essendon have a good record with Hird and Lloyd out and Sheedy continues to see the positives if the star duo are unavailable. “It doesn’t concern us because it gives us the opportunity to give young players an opportunity to put their hand up and show the coaching staff what they can do. It is very hard to put Ted Richards at centre half forward if you have Lloyd, Hird and Lucas - they will always go to the senior blokes first,” Sheedy said.
