The Bombers will be bolstered by the return of veteran Dustin Fletcher and key midfielder Heath Hocking ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated elimination final clash against Carlton.
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Fletcher and Hocking, who missed the Port Adelaide clash through injury and suspension, will be welcome additions to the Essendon line up, as the side are set to play their first home finals series since 2004.
General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said the club was excited by the return of the key pair.
Fletcher and Hocking, who missed the Port Adelaide clash through injury and suspension, will be welcome additions to the Essendon line up, as the side are set to play their first home finals series since 2004.
General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said the club was excited by the return of the key pair.
“This weekend provides a wonderful opportunity to play Carlton in an elimination final, and the players have been refreshed with a couple of days off last week,” Hamilton said.
“Fletch obviously missed the last game with just a rolled ankle but he will be fine this week and is back in full training.
“We have no doubt that Fletch will get up and come back into the side and Heath Hocking will come back from suspension. We’re welcoming them both back this week which is incredibly exciting.”
Key defenders Michael Hurley and Tayte Pears will also be available for selection leading up to this weekend's elimination final clash after completing two weeks of full training.
“Both those boys will be available to play this weekend. Tayte has been training reasonably hard to get his match fitness up and Michael is fine too, and had a really good training session this morning,"" Hamilton said.
“They both trained late last week and had a morning session today before what will no doubt be a big week for the club.""
Hamilton said both Sam Lonergan and Scott Gumbleton made impressive performances for Bendigo on Sunday afternoon despite the Bombers' 28-point loss to the Northern Bullants.
“It was a really good, hard-fought game and we were ahead 11 points early in the fourth quarter, but got steamrolled towards the end,"" he said.
“Sam got through the game and got through it reasonably well which gives him another week of opportunity and fitness. It was unexpected for him to have been out there so early and yet he has played two games in a row now.
“We have no doubt that Fletch will get up and come back into the side and Heath Hocking will come back from suspension. We’re welcoming them both back this week which is incredibly exciting.”
Key defenders Michael Hurley and Tayte Pears will also be available for selection leading up to this weekend's elimination final clash after completing two weeks of full training.
“Both those boys will be available to play this weekend. Tayte has been training reasonably hard to get his match fitness up and Michael is fine too, and had a really good training session this morning,"" Hamilton said.
“They both trained late last week and had a morning session today before what will no doubt be a big week for the club.""
Hamilton said both Sam Lonergan and Scott Gumbleton made impressive performances for Bendigo on Sunday afternoon despite the Bombers' 28-point loss to the Northern Bullants.
“It was a really good, hard-fought game and we were ahead 11 points early in the fourth quarter, but got steamrolled towards the end,"" he said.
“Sam got through the game and got through it reasonably well which gives him another week of opportunity and fitness. It was unexpected for him to have been out there so early and yet he has played two games in a row now.
""He will no doubt be putting his hand up for selection and with the match committee meeting later in the week we can only see where we go from there.”
