Essendon football boss Dan McPherson says the Bombers are open to all possibilities to attract top-end talent – including trading a first-round pick – as a lengthy injury list threatens to derail this year’s finals assault.
Sam Draper, Kyle Langford, Ben McKay, Zach Reid, Mason Redman, Jordan Ridley, Nick Bryan, Harry Jones and Nik Cox are among the key outs, while suspended midfielder Sam Durham will also miss the next fortnight.
Essendon named Archer May and Lachie Blakiston to both make their debut against Geelong on Saturday.Credit: Essendon FC
Essendon named two more debutants – mid-season draftees Archer May and Lachie Blakiston – for Saturday’s clash with Geelong at the MCG, which increases their league-high tally to 10 this season. The next-closest are last year’s wooden-spooners Richmond (seven) and St Kilda and West Coast (both six).
“You never like having a dozen players unavailable through injury, but it creates enormous opportunity,” McPherson told The Age.
“We’ve got some lads coming into the team this weekend, and over the last few weeks, who probably otherwise wouldn’t have got their opportunity this early. But we felt they were ready to perform, and they haven’t looked out of place.
“We started the season hoping we’re going to have incredible selection pressure, and that becomes a bit of a challenge when you have a few injuries, but there’s still pressure for spots, which is pleasing.”
The Brad Scott-coached Bombers have remained mostly competitive, splitting their past six matches as the injuries piled up. They lost two of those games by a combined 26 points to Brisbane and Carlton – but copped a 91-point hiding from Western Bulldogs in the other.
Essendon are just one win outside the top eight, albeit with a sizeable percentage deficit.
The versatile Jones and in particular strong-marking Reid were enjoying good seasons before their setbacks, while Nate Caddy – who is carrying a big load in attack with Langford sidelined, and when Peter Wright goes into the ruck – Archie Roberts and Isaac Kako have also impressed McPherson.
However, it has been more challenging for midfielders Ben Hobbs and Elijah Tsatas.
Elijah Tsatas has been under scrutiny for the efficiency of his kicking.Credit: Getty Images
Essendon dropped Hobbs, the No.13 pick in 2021, on Thursday night, while Tsatas, the fifth selection in 2022, has played just one of the Bombers’ past five games.
Hobbs’ centre-bounce opportunities had dwindled before his axing, and he was playing almost exclusively as a forward, even before All-Australian onballer Darcy Parish’s return on Sunday night.
Tsatas continues to rack up disposals for Essendon’s reserves, but his kicking efficiency – the biggest knock on him – is barely above 46 per cent, and he is handballing far more.
Neither player making this week’s team despite Durham’s absence, veteran Dylan Shiel remaining in the VFL since being dropped a month ago, and captain Zach Merrett being used at half-back is an indication of their place in the midfield pecking order.
“The unique nature of our injury list is they are essentially all talls and key-position guys, so the players that Elijah and ‘Hobbsy’ are battling for spots are fit and healthy,” McPherson said.
“Our core group of inside midfielders are experienced, high-quality players. You look at Parish, Caldwell and Merrett – and Setterfield’s done some terrific jobs the last few weeks.
“We brought in two guys this week, but they’re tall because we need some height and reinforcement in that area, so that takes away a couple of spots outside the centre bounce … you can’t have 10 inside midfielders.”
McPherson said it would be “great for them and us” if Hobbs and Tsatas re-established themselves in the AFL by season’s end, but that team balance was the priority.
The Bombers are keen to have more A-grade talent around Merrett, but McPherson was confident a number of their players were “trending” towards reaching that status.
Essendon are scouring rival clubs’ lists to help that pursuit, meaning they could be active in free agency and the trade period, while they are armed with their own and Melbourne’s first-round pick in this year’s draft.
“Our list and recruiting guys are on the lookout, and getting to work on who’s available, who’s a possibility, and whether they fit with us,” McPherson said. “But at the same time, we think there’s potential for a few of our guys to continue to improve and elevate to that level.”
McPherson said having multiple first-round selections meant the Bombers would have “flexibility” in the player movement period as they explore the potential of trying to lure a top-liner to Tullamarine.
They also must decide how hard they will work to retain unrestricted free agent ruckman Draper, who has interest from Adelaide.
“We’re not closed off to anything. You never say never,” McPherson said. “You go into these sorts of deals and discussions with your best interests at the forefront, so it has to be something that we’re really comfortable benefits us.”
