Rookie Ben Haynes has only played three games this season but has made an impact in every performance. He was close to best on ground in the Bendigo Bombers 13-point victory against Werribee on the weekend. He notched up 27 possessions and finished his good work with three goals. The 22-year-old might find himself on the senior list in the coming weeks if the coaching panel decides to elevate a rookie after Jordan Bannister was put on the long-term injury list. However, the season hasn't been a bed of roses for Haynes.

Haynes has had to deal with the frustration of a long-term injury this season after suffering a dislocated shoulder in a preseason practice match. The injury sidelined the former Richmond player for 17 weeks. Haynes had surgery in February and has spent the last four months participating in an intensive rehabilitation program. He returned to the VFL post the bye in the match against Geelong.

After three matches Haynes' match fitness is close to 100%. He has been playing predominantly in the mid-field and across half-forward. ""I am near fully fit. It has been good getting out there and playing and my fitness is slowly starting to come back, which is good. 17 weeks is a long time not to be playing footy,"" Haynes said. In his three performances Haynes has caught the eye of the match committee and is one of the three rookies that are in the hunt to be promoted to the senior list.

The match committee spoke to three of the six rookies individually last Wednesday night after training. Toby McGrath, Ken Hall and Haynes were all asked to explain to the match committee why they should be elevated to the senior list. The match committee decided not to elevate one of the rookies until they plan to play him in the seniors. Haynes is hopeful they will make their decision soon. ""I wish they would announce it so we all know where we stand. It would be good if they said - who they plan to elevate and if anyone. It is a bit of a lottery at the moment,"" Haynes said. Under AFL ruling the coaching panel has until round 18 to promote a rookie.

It would be a lie if Haynes denied he didn’t want to be the rookie to get elevated, but he is pretty philosophical about the situation. He is enjoying his footy and being part of a winning team. “There is a senior spot there but I am just rapt to be playing at the moment. If I get promoted it would be great but if I don't life goes on,"" Haynes said.

""Things are really starting to gel together and I think Peter Banfield has done a terrific job bringing the Essendon and Bendigo players together. It is a tough job because we only get to train together once a week if that and then roll up on the weekends and play. He has done a great job and obviously our form has been good over the past few weeks.""