Dylan Shiel is confident Essendon’s midfielders will be ready for his former club GWS in Round 1

Dylan Shiel has had a faultless pre-season in contrast to some of his teammates but says Essendon’s full complement of midfielders will be available to take on his former club in Round 1.

Essendon plays Dylan Shiel’s former club GWS in Round 1. Picture: Getty Images

Dylan Shiel says Essendon’s complement of midfielders will all be available to take on his former club Greater Western Sydney in Round 1.

Shiel blew out the cobwebs on Friday night in the AFLX after a pre-season in which he has hardly missed a session.

In contrast, fellow Dons Dyson Heppell (hamstring tendinitis) and Zach Merrett (ankle) have missed chunks of post-Christmas training as their workloads are managed.

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The pair finished second and third in last year’s best-and-fairest to Devon Smith, who has dealt with a minor bicep injury over ­summer.

Shiel said last week’s match simulation — in which Heppell and Merrett took part — made him confident of a strong performance against the ­Giants at Spotless Stadium.

“They should be fine. I think every team has a few niggles over the pre-season, but I think the guys are going to be fine for Round 1,’’ he said.

“They had a pretty solid match practice and it was good to see ‘Hepp’ getting involved in that and Zach Merrett back from injury as well

“Yeah, I think they are just managing (Joe Daniher’s) loads and being smart with him, but when he’s out there he is moving really well and has a lot of energy.

Dylan Shiel has hardly missed a session over pre-season. Picture: Getty Images

“Obviously he’s a serious player and we know how good he can be, so just being careful with him.

“Whatever they need to do to get him right for a full ­season, I am totally supportive of what they need to do so that can happen.”

Shiel was his usual polished self in AFLX and thankful to get through four games injury free.

“It was different, a fast-paced game and the boys were blowing after the first few games, but it was great to have a good night with the boys and hopefully put on a good show for the fans,” he said.

“I am healthy and feeling good out there. These sort of events, you want to get out of it injury free and get ready for the real stuff, but we had a good time and a good crack ­towards the end.

“It’s an attractive game to explore overseas as well. The AFL are playing the long game on this one and hopefully there is a really good response from the fans who want to keep ­buying in.”