Jordan Ridley and Kyle Langford suffer injury setbacks, Nic Martin ruled out for 2026 season

Essendon cannot escape the injury nightmare that derailed their 2025 campaign — with a trio of Bombers already facing setbacks. Details here.

Essendon’s nightmare soft tissue run has continued with gun defender Jordan Ridley suffering another hamstring injury.

The Herald Sun has confirmed scans have shown Ridley has hurt his hamstring again at training this week and will be put on light duties.

It is a devastating setback for one of Essendon’s most important players who considered a trade to Brisbane Lions last season due to his repeated injury issues.

Jordan Ridley has suffered another setback. Picture: Getty Images

Forward Kyle Langford also reported leg soreness after Friday’s session and is expected to scale back his training loads.

But it is hoped the injury is not serious.

Langford had enjoyed a strong training block over the offseason but he left the track early on Friday.

Ridley’s injury in particular is another massively frustrating setback for the backman and the Bombers after a disastrous injury run in 2025.

Ridley has played only 19 games over the past two seasons due to repeated soft tissue injuries and is desperate to stay on the park next season.

The club overhauled its entire fitness department at season’s end in a bid to overcome its horror run of soft tissue injuries in recent years.

Kyle Langford (left) is another Bomber who is struggling to get his body right. Picture: Getty Images

Mathew Inness was poached from West Coast to lead the high performance department, while new strength and conditioning boss David Regan came across from NBA club Brooklyn Nets.

But the Bombers have suffered another significant hiccup as the new fitness department staff try to push its senior contingent.

Essendon has made no secret it wants to push its players over preseason to help build the fitness capabilities and resilience in its players’ bodies.

But coach Brad Scott would love to have a full list at the start of the season after losing as much as half of the club’s squad to various injury issues last year, prompting the overhaul.

Nic Martin will miss the entire 2026 season. Picture: Getty Images

MARTIN OUT FOR 2026

- Josh Barnes and Matthew Forrest

Essendon star Nic Martin will miss the entire 2026 season after further surgery to his injured knee in a bitter blow for the Bombers.

The dashing half back and midfielder tore his ACL last season and was expected to miss until about the bye rounds, pending his recovery.

But he slipped at training earlier in November, which resulted in Martin getting sent for scans.

The scans confirmed damage to the reconstructed knee, which the surgeon and club’s high-performance team opting to have further surgery, ruling him out for the season.

“It’s obviously a setback, but I have complete confidence in our medical and high-performance team and our long-term plan for me,” Martin said.

Martin last played in round 18. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m feeling good post-surgery and I’m ready to take the time to build my knee back up and I know I’m in the best hands possible.

“I’ll attack this rehab with everything I’ve got to come back stronger.”

The club will take a long-term focus with Martin’s recovery, aiming to have the star ready for the start of pre-season heading into the 2027 campaign.

Essendon footy boss Daniel McPherson said there was real disappointment for Martin.

“We are all really disappointed for Nic, but we are also really proud of the maturity with which he has handled this setback,” he said.

“The decision to go back in for surgery sets Nic up for the best long-term result, and he’s determined to come back from this setback an even better player and stronger athlete.”

It follows recent news of Sullivan Robey’s deloading over the coming months after the club identified a hot spot in the No.9 draftee’s back.

Cillian Bourke. Picture: Seb Daly/ Sportsfile

BOMBERS EYE IRISH TEEN AS CONTROVERSIAL GAELIC RAID CONTINUES

- Josh Barnes

Essendon is eyeing Irish teenager Cillian Bourke as a Category B signing as the AFL’s raid on Gaelic football continues.

The 19-year-old Bourke has not signed with the Bombers but is closing in on a deal while he continues to play for his local GAA side Tullamore.

The 190cm prospect will play in the Leinster Club Senior Football Championship semi-final against Ballyboden on Saturday but the Irish press has already essentially sealed his move to Essendon.

Bourke was named the under-20 player of the year for County Offaly and would be the first player from that county to hit the AFL.

He is three years younger than Geelong’s Cillian Burke, who hails from County Kerry.

Bourke’s Irish departure comes after 17-year-old jet Kobe McDonald signed with St Kilda and Brisbane landed 18-year-old Ben Murphy earlier this month.

Bourke at the AFL Draft Combine. Picture: Getty Images

The signing spree of talented teens has not gone down well in Ireland, with several prominent figures floating the idea of payment to GAA clubs as compensation for losing young stars.

The amateur nature of Gaelic sport means players are happy to explore the professional AFL to play sport for a living.

Essendon’s most successful Irish signing was Connor McKenna, who played 79 games for the club before returning to Ireland during Covid.

McKenna came back to Australia and played in Brisbane’s 2024 premiership.

Originally published as Jordan Ridley and Kyle Langford suffer injury setbacks, Nic Martin ruled out for 2026 season