Dylan Shiel, Sam Draper set targets for return as Dyson Heppell lauds Essendon’s depth

Essendon has received a boost with top-10 draft pick Zach Reid pushing hard for a round 1 berth, while two other stars have revealed when they expect to return from injuries.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.February 8, 2024. Essendon AFL training at the Hangar, Tullamarine. Todd Goldstein, Ben McKay, Dylan Shiel and Archie Roberts during todays training session. Pic: Michael Klein

Essendon midfielder Dylan Shiel has targeted the club’s final practice match with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on March 1 as his likely kick-off point after working to overcome foot and knee surgeries in the off-season.

Shiel, who turns 31 next month, watched on with a handful of other Bombers at a light-training session at The Hangar on Thursday, with the club set to end the week with a competitive match-simulation session on Saturday.

The midfielder won’t play in the match simulation clash with St Kilda on February 23, but remains hopeful he can get some game time in against the Cats a week later.

Ben McKay, Dylan Shiel and Archie Roberts at Tullamarine on Thursday. Picture: Michael Klein

Shiel has endured a frustrating past three seasons, playing only 39 games across that period, with only 12 last season.

There were suggestions during the last trade period that he could have been on the move to a third AFL club, but Adrian Dodoro closed that door swiftly, labelling him as “a highly-regarded member of the playing group”.

If Shiel can return to the damaging midfield he had early in his career, it would be a bonus for the Bombers as they look to push more players through the middle of the ground including the young core of Sam Durham, Ben Hobbs and Elijah Tsatas looking for more exposure.

Sam Durham has been slated for an inside midfielder position at the Bombers in 2024. Picture: Michael Klein

Ruckman Sam Draper is also pushing hard to play in round 1 for the club’s opening game against Hawthorn, but will need to tick off a few boxes.

Most of the Bombers who had been sidelined in the early part of the pre-season are either back in full training or close to resuming, which defender and former skipper Dyson Heppell says is a good sign five weeks out from the first round.

“It has been a really good block of training, the list is pretty healthy and it is a great time of the year gearing up for praccy matches and games,” Heppell said.

“The depth we have got at the moment – and with a healthy list – makes it very competitive for spots.”

Heppell said a number of Bombers had made good impressions over the pre-season, including star skipper Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish.

“Zachy Merrett and Darce Parish have gone to another level, and guys like Jye Caldwell have been good,” he said.

“It has been awesome to see Ben McKay come in and slot into the system and it is really good to see Zachy Reid healthy and ready to play a lot of footy this year.”