Essendon to assess injury-hit squad before making decision on adding state league player
Several clubs are set to offer contracts to players previously on their list but Essendon is one team looking outside the AFL arena for an option if Joe Daniher can’t get on top of his groin injury.
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Essendon has kept an available list spot up its sleeve to add another from the state leagues next year.
The Bombers have kept open the last remaining position and can target another player through either the supplemental selection period or mid-season draft, if required.
Collingwood looks set to give its last spot to veteran defender Lynden Dunn, Hawthorn is eyeing Darren Minchington, while Greater Western Sydney may not fill its remaining vacancy.
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Melbourne is set to elevate former Gold Coast and Fremantle speedster Harley Bennell if the gun midfielder can overcome his constant run of calf injuries.
The Demons are adamant they will take a cautious and patient approach with the former No. 2 pick but are confident about his ability to make a full recovery.
West Coast could revive the career of former GWS and Carlton livewire Jarrod Pickett.
Essendon’s list option could act as an important safety net in case the club is hit by more injury trouble in the early part of next year.
In particular, the club could look to another key position prospect depending on the fitness of some of its most important big men next year.
The Bombers have only 23 fit players in main training after copping one of the worst injury rates in the competition late in 2019.
But the club is confident stars including Dyson Heppell (foot), star defender Michael Hurley (shoulder) and speedster Orazio Fantasia (hip) are all on track to be available for the Round 1 clash against Fremantle.
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However, there remains question mark over Joe Daniher’s likely recovery timeline as the gun spearhead works to return from almost two years out with a serious groin injury.
Daniher continues to follow a modified training program after having surgery to help correct the debilitating problem which dogged him through the early part of this year.
Forward Mitch Brown was also delisted, while young key forward Noah Gown fractured his foot for a second time at training last week.
It means the Bombers could turn to forward prongs Shaun McKernan and James Stewart early in the season to lead the forward division if Daniher is still unavailable for selection.
Essendon added former Carlton and GWS ruckman Andrew Phillips to support veteran Tom Bellchambers and Sam Draper, who is on the comeback from a knee reconstruction.
Clubs have until March to add another player in the supplemental selection period which Richmond used to recruit excitement machine Sydney Stack.
John Worsfold’s men have another spot after putting new draftee Lachie Johnson, the son of Brisbane Lions’ great Chris Johnson, on the inactive list.