Zach Reid excites Bombers coach as AFL return looms

Essendon coach Brad Scott is keen to get a rising star back into his side, while he’s revealed whether Alwyn Davey Jr is fit to play.

Towering 202cm defender Zach Reid will likely play in the VFL next weekend before Brad Scott looks to bring him back into the senior side. Picture: Michael Klein

Essendon coach Brad Scott has warned Zach Reid he will “drive him insane” with his careful long-term planning for the 202cm key defender.

Scott says Reid has been declared fit to play by the club’s medical staff but the Bombers will make him get through another week of training before he can return via the VFL next weekend.

The 21-year-old, who has played eight games including seven last year, is a significant source of excitement but needs to be carefully managed to ensure sustained success, Scott said.

“I’ve said to (Reid) repeatedly that I’m going to drive him insane over the short-term because we’re just really focused on the medium to long-term with him,” he said.

Zach Reid will train for another week before he makes a long anticipated return via the VFL. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

“He’s medically clear to play but we think another solid week of training, and then he’ll play the following week.

“Hopefully not too long a block (in the reserves), but certainly some VFL footy before he’s considered for AFL selection.”

While Scott is excited by Reid’s potential, he said there was no pressure on him to have an immediate impact when he returns to the senior level.

“We’re not pushing him to come on really quickly … you look at a lot of the talls across the competition … Reidy is a very capable player and one that you very quickly as a coach get excited about, but talls can take a bit longer,” he said.

“We’re really keen to just get that block of work into him so when he does come in, he stays in.

“Patrick Voss is another one in the VFL who has been playing really well, but we just want to set them up to succeed when they come in.”

In-form young midfielder Ben Hobbs continues to press his case for senior selection in the VFL. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

Scott said Alwyn Davey Jr would be fit to play against Melbourne on Saturday afternoon after he hurt his shoulder in the win over GWS last weekend, while he said gun midfielder Ben Hobbs was firmly in the selection frame after he had 27 disposals, nine clearances, seven tackles and a goal in the VFL on Sunday.

“The guys, other than Weideman who won’t play in the concussion protocols, everyone has pulled up really well from the game, so we’ll just manage their training load today, only because of the short break rather than how they’ve pulled up,” Scott said.

“Our message to our players is to control what they can control and to be ready when their opportunity comes up.

“Hobbsy had a really untimely rolled ankle at training, and he missed a week when he was playing really well, but he’s come back into the VFL and hasn’t missed a beat, so he’s firmly in our selection calculations.”

Originally published as Zach Reid excites Bombers coach as AFL return looms