‘Haven’t ruled him out’: Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish still a chance to line up for Hawks clash

Darcy Parish is still a chance to line up for the Dons in Round 1 against Hawthorn despite a hamstring issue, with the midfielder coming off a personal-best pre-season.

Prolific Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish will “give himself every chance” to get over a hamstring issue in time for Saturday’s blockbuster season-opener against Hawthorn.

It comes as the Dons get set to put more trust in young bull Sam Durham.

The Bombers have not put a line through Parish’s chances of facing the club’s traditional rival, with the all-Australian to be put through his paces later in the week.

Ruck Sam Draper will also be monitored late in the week.

Midfield teammate Will Setterfield said there was still hope the ball magnet would be right to go.

“They haven’t ruled him out … I think he is a chance,” Setterfield said of Parish.

“I hope he is out there because he had a bloody good pre-season and was going really well and played well in the praccy match. He missed a chunk of footy last year with his calf and he would have been itching to put a full season together so he will definitely give himself every chance.”

Darcy Parish is being given every chance to line up against Hawthorn in Round 1. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Whether Parish plays this week or not, he is likely to spend big minutes alongside Durham this year.

The youngster has been a standout through most of summer and gathered two clearances and 14 disposals in limited minutes in a pre-season loss to Geelong.

With Jade Gresham (St Kilda) and Xavier Duursma (Port Adelaide) joining the Bombers over the off-season, the depth in Brad Scott’s midfield group has rapidly expanded.

“I think we just need to find the right balance in there,” Setterfield said.

“Zachy (Merrett) is one of the best midfielder in the comp, as is (Parish) in there.

“(Durham) is a really good power running a good athlete and a bit of a bigger body.”

Setterfield said he had “almost forgotten” about the foot injury that derailed his debut season at Essendon last year, ruling him out form round 9 to the final game of the season.

The former Blue and Giant has not missed a session over summer and said he was ready to play in front of a packed crowd at the MCG, with the Bombers hoping to tip over 80,000 fans.

“That’s the beauty of playing at a massive club like Essendon, we have a massive supporter base and really passionate fans and that is certainly something we love and want to thrive on this year,” he said.

“It is the absolute beauty of playing for a club like Essendon.”