Brendon Goddard to miss Essendon’s clash with Gold Coast with groin injury

ESSENDON captain Brendon Goddard has conceded he is unlikely to play this weekend, and doesn’t know whether Michael Hurley will return to the Bombers.

Brendon Goddard injured his groin early in the loss to Geelong.

ESSENDON captain Brendon Goddard has conceded he is unlikely to play this weekend.

Goddard had scans on his groin, and while he is yet to receive the results, Sunday’s match against Gold Coast isn’t looking to be on the cards at this stage.

“Probably not, no,” he said.

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“I’ve definitely tweaked the groin, in simple terms. (Club doctor Bruce Reid) will run down the details today. Looking like definitely not this week, and hopefully try and get myself up for the Bulldogs game in two weeks.

“It actually feels alright, I haven’t got the full diagnosis yet.”

Speculation continues to mount that banned star defender Michael Hurley could be on the move, with Goddard admitting he is still in the dark as to his teammate’s plans.

Brendon Goddard after getting scans on his injured groin.

But he said the club remains confident of keeping hold of him.

“I hope so,” Goddard said on RSN.

“Who knows really? The club is pretty confident that he will stay at Essendon, but I don’t know. Clubs are interested in him - that’s their right. He’s a quality player.

“In the next few weeks, I’m assuming it will unfold, but we’re pretty confident he’ll be at Essendon next year.”

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Club great Tim Watson said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Hurley left the club, but said he believes a favourable offer is on the table.

One thing that is nearly certain, Goddard said, is him handing back the captaincy should Watson’s son - banned skipper Jobe - return.

“If Jobe decides to come back, in my mind, it’s his job,” he said.

“It’s his role, it’s his decision to make.

I said at the start of the year that it wasn’t a situation I wanted to be in, because I know what would have happened for me to get to this position. I’m in my mind a stand-in captain.”

Originally published as Brendon Goddard to miss Essendon’s clash with Gold Coast with groin injury