Essendon’s medical staff will monitor a number of key players this week, before the Bombers fly to the west to face the fifth-placed West Coast Eagles in Perth on Saturday.
General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said star veteran Dustin Fletcher and Michael Hurley will be monitored by the club after both players pulled up sore following the Bombers' win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.
“There is some slight soreness from the both of them, they particularly felt tired towards the end of the game but they should be okay,” Hamilton said.
“We will test them during the week and they will be under observation. While they are a reasonable chance to play this week, we won’t be taking any risks.”
Key defender Tayte Pears, who returned from injury on the weekend following a minor hairline fracture in his lower leg, has resumed full training earlier this morning after being subbed off in the third quarter on Saturday.
“He just got another slight knock to his leg and ultimately we didn’t want to take any risks. He has actually pulled up quite well today so he will be in full training this week and we will monitor him but he looks to be fine,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said 22-year old David Myers, who was a late withdrawal before Saturday’s clash, will face fitness tests later this week to determine his availability for selection.
“We are quite confident about David’s slight lower leg niggle. He has come up well and he will be a reasonable chance to play over in Perth this week. We will give him every opportunity this week to see if he can come up.”
General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said star veteran Dustin Fletcher and Michael Hurley will be monitored by the club after both players pulled up sore following the Bombers' win over the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.
“There is some slight soreness from the both of them, they particularly felt tired towards the end of the game but they should be okay,” Hamilton said.
“We will test them during the week and they will be under observation. While they are a reasonable chance to play this week, we won’t be taking any risks.”
Key defender Tayte Pears, who returned from injury on the weekend following a minor hairline fracture in his lower leg, has resumed full training earlier this morning after being subbed off in the third quarter on Saturday.
“He just got another slight knock to his leg and ultimately we didn’t want to take any risks. He has actually pulled up quite well today so he will be in full training this week and we will monitor him but he looks to be fine,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton said 22-year old David Myers, who was a late withdrawal before Saturday’s clash, will face fitness tests later this week to determine his availability for selection.
“We are quite confident about David’s slight lower leg niggle. He has come up well and he will be a reasonable chance to play over in Perth this week. We will give him every opportunity this week to see if he can come up.”
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Speedy forward Travis Colyer is also a chance to be recalled to the senior side this week, after resuming a full training load.
“Trav is training really well and last week he was able to go really flat out at full pace. The doctors and medical staff are saying that he is a very reasonable chance to return this week, which is pleasing for Trav,” Hamilton told BomberTV.
Nathan-Lovett Murray and Tom Bellchambers will again be pushing for senior selection, following the duo's dominant performances on the weekend in the VFL.
“Nathan was in his second game back and he played a full game this week and was best on ground – he was terrific.
“It was a really pleasing performance and as they boys were seven goals down in the second quarter but to get up and win that game was fantastic.”
Defender Cale Hooker also made an impressive return from injury during Bendigo's win over Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Speedy forward Travis Colyer is also a chance to be recalled to the senior side this week, after resuming a full training load.
“Trav is training really well and last week he was able to go really flat out at full pace. The doctors and medical staff are saying that he is a very reasonable chance to return this week, which is pleasing for Trav,” Hamilton told BomberTV.
Nathan-Lovett Murray and Tom Bellchambers will again be pushing for senior selection, following the duo's dominant performances on the weekend in the VFL.
“Nathan was in his second game back and he played a full game this week and was best on ground – he was terrific.
“It was a really pleasing performance and as they boys were seven goals down in the second quarter but to get up and win that game was fantastic.”
Defender Cale Hooker also made an impressive return from injury during Bendigo's win over Collingwood at Victoria Park on Saturday.
“Cale returned as well and put in a good performance for his first game back in a number of weeks. He got through the game unscathed and was able to show that he was fully recovered,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton added Brent Prismall is recovering well and maintaining high spirits, following his recent operation on his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
“Brent is doing very well and for the first time, he is no longer using crutches, so he is really please that he is able to walk around and be a little more mobile.
“The swelling has reduced and he is in a really positive frame of mind and he is just happy to be at the club and being around the boys,"" he said.
Hamilton said despite the two important victories against Sydney and the Western Bulldogs, the Bombers’ focus now turned to the highly-crucial Saturday clash against the in-form West Coast Eagles.
“It’s wonderful to be able to get the opportunity to go over there and improve on our past performances in Perth. It’s a great chance to go against a top four side.”
