Essendon welcomes back Will Setterfield as an SSP player after Nic Martin ruled out for 2026

Essendon has welcomed back delisted midfielder Will Setterfield to cover Nic Martin after the utility was ruled out for 2026. Plus, the latest on Nik Cox, Zach Reid and more at Tullamarine.

Essendon has returned to familiar face with Will Setterfield set to fill Nic Martin’s vacant list spot in 2026.

Big-bodied midfielder Setterfield was delisted at the end of the season but will be re-signed on Tuesday, filling the spot opened up after Martin had a recurrence of his knee injury.

Considered unlucky to be cut by the Bombers after playing 13 games in 2025 before his season ended with a foot injury, Setterfield will be welcomed back and could return to his No. 12 jumper, given it hasn’t been handed on to a new player.

The 27-year-old former Giant and Blue has played 84 games since a 2017 debut for GWS, filling in a variety of roles, most recently as a defensively minded midfielder at the Bombers.

Will Setterfield and Nic Martin were both injured against Richmond in Round 18. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images.

He was not on track on Monday but has begun running as he recovers from the Lisfranc injury that hit his foot.

Forward Nate Caddy was impressive on the track as he builds up his workload after experiencing sore groins.

The goalkicker has wowed teammates in his time on track this summer and was caught up in engaging marking drills against Zach Reid and new Irish signing Cillian Bourke during a skills session on Monday.

Nik Cox moved well as he builds his fitness after concussion ruled him out of senior games last year.

Dyson Sharp handballs at Essendon training. Picture: EFC

Peter Wright and Ben McKay on Monday. Picture: EFC

Archie Perkins ran laps during the session, while Nick Bryan also worked through a running session as he returns from his ACL injury.

Harry Jones was another Bombers confined to running laps, having ended his season with an ankle injury.

Exciting duo Isaak Kako and Hussein Al Achkar duelled it out with snaps at goal in the final moments of the session as the pair went toe-to-toe in front of the sticks.

Todd Goldstein has refused to miss out on pre-season just weeks after announcing his playing retirement as he worked the tackle bags relentlessly on players in his new role as Dons ruck coach.

Originally published as Essendon welcomes back Will Setterfield as an SSP player after Nic Martin ruled out for 2026