Injury updates: Ridley avoids serious harm
the most recent injury information before round 18.
Jordan Ridley, a defender for Essendon, was substituted out of last week’s match against the Crows but has escaped serious damage.
The important back bruised a bone in his knee but will still try to compete against Geelong in GMHBA.
Ruckman Sam Draper still has no timetable because the Bombers are letting his hip issue heal naturally.
Both James Stewart and Will Setterfield are recovering well from their individual foot ailments, which is good news for both athletes.
As a result of pulling up sore from the match against the Crows, Dylan Shiel has been classified as a test.
THREE BOMBERS HIT BY LOSS OF POWER IN “TRAINING DRILL”
Three players getting hurt made Essendon’s 54-point loss to Port Adelaide even worse.
Sam Draper (ankle), Dylan Shiel (knee), and Jye Caldwell (hamstring) are all expected to miss time due to injuries as the Bombers fell to 0-2.
Following the game, Essendon coach Ben Rutten gave an update on the three injured players.
It’s only a hamstring, Jye. According to Rutten, Draper has a high ankle and Dylan has a knee.
The medical professionals do not believe Shiels injury to be an ACL. It didn’t look good, but it’s only slightly frozen up, so he’ll get some scans and figure out exactly what it is.
We now believe that Draper is wearing one of those high ankle boots, but we will need to do some additional research.
Rutten is hopeful Bombers captain Dyson Heppell will be available to face St Kilda after he was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s game with a back spasm.
“We don’t think it’s anything too serious, but it was enough to keep him out of this week,” Rutten said.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be available next week. But certainly we’ll test our depth now.
“As disappointing as it is to lose those three guys it creates an opportunity now to have a look at other players.”
The Bombers conceded 11 first-half goals and were comprehensively beaten in all departments against a slick Power outfit.
Kane Cornes described Essendon’s performance as a “training drill” with their defensive work in transition a cause for concern.
Leave a Reply