Essendon veteran David Zaharakis is looming as an available selection ahead of the Bombers’ round 15 match-up with Melbourne.
The 224-gamer has made a quick recovery from a hamstring injury suffered against Richmond in the Dons’ round 12 Dreamtime in Perth clash.
Head of high performance Sean Murphy said the 31-year-old would complete a whole week of training and be listed as a test.
“’Zacka’s’ gone through his rehab process with his hamstring,” Murphy told Dons Digital’s Liberty Financial Performance Update.
“He’ll train fully this week and be a test this weekend. It’s all looking pretty positive at this point.”
Forward Alec Waterman is also shaping as another Bomber to return to the selection foray after making a swift comeback from a minor calf injury.
Murphy said Waterman would test himself over the week to potentially be available for selection against the Demons.
“‘Watto’ just had a bit of a calf complaint across the week,” Murphy said.
“Unfortunately, he missed (the Hawthorn game) and he’ll be a test for this weekend.
“We’ll build him up and see where he’s at throughout main training later this week.”
Forward Will Snelling will look to continue building his ball skills as he returns from a thumb injury.
With touch work being the only impediment for the 23-year-old, Murphy said Snelling was maintaining a strong fitness level across his rehabilitation.
“Snell’s had surgery on that thumb (and is) tracking really well,” Murphy said.
“He’s able to get full training loads in and it doesn’t impede running abilities.
“He’s able to do a little bit of ball work with the group, but he’ll build up over the next couple of weeks.”
Murphy also touched on the improvement midfielder Dylan Clarke has made in his return from an ankle injury, while also highlighting a stellar high-performance effort from round 14 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Harrison Jones.
Watch round 15’s Liberty Financial Performance Update below.
INJURY LIST - ROUND 15
PLAYER | INJURY | ESTIMATED RETURN |
David Zaharakis | Hamstring | Test |
Alec Waterman | Calf | Test |
Aaron Francis | Mental health | TBC |
Dylan Shiel | Knee | Short term |
Will Snelling | Thumb | Short term |
Dylan Clarke | Ankle | Short term |
Andrew McGrath | Knee | Long term |
Michael Hurley | Illness | Long term |
Jye Caldwell | Hamstring | Long term |
Irving Mosquito | Knee | Long term |
Kaine Baldwin | Knee | Long term |
Updated Tuesday, June 22 |