Essendon rookie Rhys Magin will make his AFL debut against West Coast at Subiaco Oval this afternoon. Magin will replace Jarrod Atkinson who was ruled out following training yesterday with hamstring tightness. Essendon last night flew Cale Hooker to Perth as a precaution should the side suffer any further injury problems in the lead up to the crucial match with the Eagles.
Magin, from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is a right-foot midfielder who was Essendon’s first selection at last year’s rookie draft. He was an impressive contributor for the Bombers during the NAB Cup and pre-season games where his creativity was a highlight. He will be used as part of the Bombers’ midfield rotation against West Coast.
Injury problems have plagued Essendon in the lead up to the game. Scott Lucas was expected to return from a back injury be he failed a fitness test while Damien Peverill did not recover from hamstring tightness and was ruled out on Friday.
