Essendon’s High Performance Manager, Justin Crow, is happy with the progress several injured players have made over the last few weeks.

Coming out of Friday’s game with a relatively clean sheet means the Bombers will have one of its most injury free lists to date, giving the Coaches plenty of options at both a senior and VFL level. 

The news is particularly good for injured big man Shaun McKernan, who has returned to training and could be pushing for selection this week.

“Shaun’s come up really well from his ankle injury and would have been close to selection last week,” Crow said.

“He’ll train tomorrow and be looking to put in a good performance on the training track and show us he’s ready.”

Jason Ashby and Tom Wallis have also resumed full training after a period of time on the sideline.

Ashby has made a speedy recovery from the knee injury he received during the first VFL practice match against Geelong, and has worked hard to maintain his fitness over the period.

Rookie Tom Wallis will also be hoping to return in the coming weeks, after missing close to eight weeks with a hamstring injury.

After playing Port Adelaide on a Friday night, the players will benefit from the eight-day break between games.

The players then have a nine-day break between Saturday’s Country Game against Geelong and the ANZAC Day Blockbuster against Collingwood.

“It’ll make the world of difference to us,” Crow said.

“It means that we can recover up early in the week and then get some really good training in as well. 

“The nine days the following week for the AFL will be a really good opportunity for us to recover, but also get in some good work and set us up for the rest of the year.”