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Unfortunately over the past two seasons it has become a common trend at Essendon that star players are sidelined with injury. An undermanned Essendon will again head into tomorrow night's match against Hawthorn. Adam Ramanauskas, Dean Rioli and Dustin Fletcher are definite non-starters and there is still a big question mark hanging over James Hird. Hird trained well yesterday afternoon but a fitness test tomorrow will confirm if he is available to take on Hawthorn. The stakes are high tomorrow night for both teams - a position in the top eight is up for grabs.
Essendon team:
B: McPhee, Jacobs, Welsh
HB: McVeigh, Bolton, Wellman
C: Hird, Misiti, Solomon
HF: Reynolds, Lucas, Mercuri
F: Barnard, Lloyd, Cupido
R: Hille, J.Johnson, M.Johnson
Inter: Alessio, Davies, Winderlich, Peverill
Emer: Richards, C.McGrath, Forster-Knight
In: Davies, Cupido
Out: Bannister, Harvey (omitted).
Assistant coach Robert Shaw continues to write his weekly column for the Engine Room - these are his thoughts this week. ""What is consistent about the season so far? Well the 'norms' are still certainly there - i.e. umpiring issues, tribunal inconsistencies, and the fortnightly rotation of coaches and clubs in the gun. The latter has started to become a little weary on those involved. Coaches, players and recruiting men who run into each other on the street now have a standard line..'it's our turn next week.” But if clubs continue to be inconsistent - and I put Essendon in that bracket - then it is to be expected. Read Robert's column in Off the Long Run.
Read nowDons to play 17 games in Victoria.
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Custodians on whose Country we are based. We acknowledge their ongoing connection to Country and pay respect to their Elders, past and present. We extend that acknowledgement and respect to all First Nations peoples throughout Australia.
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