AFL news 2023: Essendon hit the track, forward duo close in on recovery, captaincy plans

Essendon’s two injured power forwards have their sights set on the first practice match of pre-season, plus an update on the club’s captaincy for 2023. See the latest from track watch.

Jaidyn Stephenson is under the pump. Picture: Michael Klein

The Bombers were out on the track on Saturday as we draw closer to the 2023 AFL season.

See the latest from track watch.

FORWARD THINKING

Essendon best and fairest winner Peter Wright and former Demon Sam Weideman are preparing to step up their training loads in the coming weeks as the Bombers look to put a recent spate of injuries to their forward stocks behind them.

Just a day after Matt Guelfi was sidelined with a calf strain, Wright and Weideman put in a solid running session at The Hangar, with the club hopeful they can up the ante this week.

Both are still considered good chances to be ready to take on Gold Coast at Carrara on February 23, the first of two pre-season games.

The pair were in the rehab group on Saturday morning but clocked plenty of running drills as they prepared to overcome calf and quad problems respectively.

Sam Weideman is close to getting back to full training. Picture: David Crosling

Weideman could be back training with the main group this week as he looks to establish a forward partnership with Wright this year, who kicked 53 goals from his 22 games in 2022.

Essendon is taking a cautious approach with Jake Stringer, who has been battling back soreness in recent weeks.

He was a late arrival on the track after doing some work inside The Hangar before doing a series of strong run-throughs at the Saturday morning session.

Stringer battled groin issues prior to Christmas but put in some good sessions throughout January before the back soreness intervened.

The club expects him to be ready for the first pre-season game.

DONS TO NAME SKIPPER LATER THIS MONTH

The Bombers expect to have their 2023 captain named before the Gold Coast pre-season game.

New coach Brad Scott is understood to be eager to spend some time observing the likely contenders and who best fits the club’s needs right now.

It’s not a given that there will be a change, with Dyson Heppell, 30, still in the mix.

Heppell has said he isn’t “tied to the role” and is happy to do what is best for the club, even if that means handing over the reins after six seasons in the role.

Zach Merrett is clearly one of the leading candidates, while Mason Redman and Andrew McGrath are among a raft of other contenders.

Redman said recently that he would love the role but understood “Dyson is still our captain … I get the sense he’d want to lead the club again.”

Mason Redman is a captaincy chance. Picture: David Crosling

Elijah Tsatas on crutches at training. Picture: David Crosling

ELIJAH STILL WORKING HARD

He might be sidelined for the best part of two months after meniscus surgery, but Essendon’s impressive pick 5 draftee Elijah Tsatas is wasting no time in keeping his skills at the forefront of his mind.

As his new teammates underwent a solid session on Saturday morning, Tsatas barely missed a beat in a handball drill with a staffer, while still seated in a chair.

The Bombers couldn’t be more pleased with the way the 18-year-old has dealt with his injury setback and his professional approach.

Among those who were in the modified training group included Nik Cox, Will Snelling, Nick Hind, James Stewart, Jayden Laverde, Zach Reid and Harrison Jones.

Jones and Snelling ended up doing some of the match simulation work, which included a number of game scenarios including forward pressure.

The Bombers will head to Bendigo and Castlemaine next week as part of their community camp.

STEPHENSON PLAYS MATCH-SIM IN ‘B’ TEAM

Jay Clark

North Melbourne speedster Jaidyn Stephenson faces an uphill battle to claim a round 1 berth as a pair of teammates turned up the selection pressure at match simulation on Friday.

Stephenson struggled to have any impact in the hour-long scratch match after starting at half forward in the ‘B’ side at Arden Street.

The quiet performance suggests the man who was traded from Collingwood after three seasons clearly has work to do to impress new coach Alastair Clarkson ahead of the practice match games against Richmond (March 24) at Arden St and Western Bulldogs (March 4) at Ikon Park.

But key forward Charlie Comben looks on track to start in the senior side alongside Nick Larkey as the second key forward target after an eye-catching display taking several strong contested marks deep in attack.

Jaidyn Stephenson has work to do to impress his new coach. Picture: Getty Images

Comben could fill a key void for the Roos in the front half, while playmaker Paul Curtis also turned heads on Friday with a clever snapped goal and a big grab to put down payments on selection in round 1 against West Coast at Marvel Stadium.

But Stephenson’s position remains in danger with Clarkson certain to set strong selection standards and put a major emphasis on defensive capabilities.

Stephenson, 24, kicked three goals from 16 games last year but could be leapfrogged by some younger teammates three years after he was traded from the Magpies as part of a deal for pick 26.

Clearly, the ex-Magpie will face tougher competition for a spot in 2023 with No. 3 draft pick Harry Sheezel, rookie selection Blake Drury, excitement machine Paul Curtis and Jackson Archer piling on pressure to play early in the season.

Archer played a scintillating first term rebounding off half back while Caleb Daniel-style backman Drury also had some nice moments later in the game.

Ex-Hawk Liam Shiels started in the ‘A’ side on a wing on the same side as Bailey Scott who was excellent on the other wing.

Jy Simpkin will be one of the Roos most important players in the midfield in 2023. Picture: Mark Stewart

MIDFIELD MIX

Tarryn Thomas is facing an uncertain future after taking time away from the club to deal with allegations of threatening and intimidating behaviour towards women.

But without him on Friday midfield stars Jy Simpkin, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Ben Cunnington fired to lead the ‘A’ side to a dominant victory before the teams were swapped around.

At one stage the ‘A’ side led by 17 goals to two as Clarkson wheeled out his preferred senior side.

Simpkin and Davies-Uniacke combined impressively in the centre square with Will Phillips, who is on the way back from a nightmare year ruined by glandular fever, and Hugh Greenwood who ramped up the tackle pressure in the engine room.

Cunnington was also a force in attack when he rested forward taking a strong contested mark close to goal.

The inspirational veteran remains a key cog in the engine room after taking time away to fight a cancer battle last year.

Griffin Logue has injured his finger. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

FINGER INJURY

New recruit Griffin Logue suffered a finger injury which ended his day in the first quarter.

The former Docker dislocated his finger and required medical attention but should be fine to return to main training next week, the club said.

Backman Aidan Corr was on light duties as he recovers from a calf problem after overcoming groin problems.

Darcy Tucker also remains sidelined after making the move from the west.

DEFENSIVE MANTRA

Clarkson has spent the bulk of the pre-season helping bed down key defensive principles for a team which was belted at times last year.

Free agent Ben McKay will anchor the defence and was strong in the air on Friday, while Luke McDonald and Jack Ziebell are also in line to play key roles in the back half.