Brandon Zerk-Thatcher in line to fill injured Patrick Ambrose’s role in Essendon defence
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is set to be given first crack at filling Patrick Ambrose’s role in Essendon’s defence, while experienced defender Michael Hurley will also be considered for a timely return in the club’s Marsh Series opener.
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Essendon is likely to welcome back stars Devon Smith and Michael Hurley against West Coast on Thursday as the Bombers’ key position woes intensify.
The Bombers trained on Sunday ahead of the clash against their elimination final conqueror after the untimely loss of key defender Patrick Ambrose in a scratch match against Melbourne.
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The underrated Ambrose will consult a specialist on a 10-week PCL injury that could still need surgery.
Ambrose has exceptional closing speed and last season showed the versatility to take the likes of Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron and Brownlow Medallist Nathan Fyfe as a tagging midfielder.
He consistently took the most dangerous opposition forward in 2019, including forwards Ben Brown, Tom McDonald, Eric Hipwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Gunstan, Jack Darling and Aaron Naughton.
After falling to the turf in the contest that saw his knee driven into the ground, Essendon assistant James Kelly admitted it would leave the Dons thin in defence.
But Hurley is fully recovered from off-season shoulder surgery and will be strongly considered for the team to take on West Coast.
Devon Smith should also play after fully recovering from knee surgery in Round 8 last year, while star midfielder Dylan Shiel will lead the onball brigade.
Cale Hooker is 12 weeks into recovery from hip surgery and captain Dyson Heppell is recovering from foot surgery but will not play.
The Dons expect both players to be ready for Round 1 but are already missing key talls Joe Daniher (groin), Noah Gown (foot), Sam Draper (ACL) and Tom Bellchambers.
Key forward James Stewart is also working back from a groin injury that ruined his 2019 season.
Bellchambers had minor knee surgery and is expected to be back quickly but with the delisting of Mitch Brown it will put pressure on coaches John Worsfold and Ben Rutten to structure the club’s forward line.
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Daniher could miss the first half of the season, while the Dons are set to make contact with homesick Irish defender Conor McKenna this week to assess his progress.
Key position defenders Aaron Francis and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will have to stand up in Ambrose’s absence, with the 195cm Zerk-Thatcher having played a single game after being taken at pick 66 in the 2018 national draft.
The Dons ran all over a Melbourne side with only eight listed players last week as they welcomed back David Zaharakis from knee and ankle surgery.
Andrew McGrath dominated in the midfield and Orazio Fantasia and Zach Merrett impressed, but Jake Stringer, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith and recruits Jacob Townsend and Andrew Phillips sat out the game.
Originally published as Brandon Zerk-Thatcher in line to fill injured Patrick Ambrose’s role in Essendon defence