Injuries Take Their Toll

Essendon will take 18-year-old Tasmanian ruckman Tom Bellchambers into this Friday nights AFL Round 21 clash against the Western Bulldogs after confirmation that both David Hille and Jason Laycock will miss the match.

Hille will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken hand against Adelaide last weekend, while Laycock is suffering from a floating bone in the ankle.

Scans on Monday confirmed both Hille’s injury and a broken fibula for Courtenay Dempsey. All-Australian defender Dustin Fletcher will also miss the Bulldogs match with a groin injury while forward Scott Lucas continues to be hampered with knee and back injuries.

“Tom is quite a solidly-built young man, but he is a development player who is 18 years old, so he is going to get a chance to ruck against a really good ruckman in [Ben] Hudson,” Knights said Wednesday.

“We have got a few issues with injuries, but they are the cards you are dealt and the 22 that run out have really got to represent the club well on Friday night,” Knights said.

“It’s on a big stage against a good side so we have just got to wind them up to play good footy. We will potentially have to look at a few first-gamers, but we will take a look at them today and make a call.”

Retiring midfielder Jason Johnson will return to the senior team along with Mark McVeigh after he has recovered from a knee injury.

Injury List –

Heath Hocking – General soreness – Available
Jarrod Atkinson – Leg – Test
Mark McVeigh – Knee – Test
Scott Lucas – Back – Test
Kyle Reimers – Hamstring – 1 week
Dustin Fletcher – Groin – 1-2 weeks
Courtenay Dempsey – Leg – Season
David Hille – Fractured hand – Season
Tom Hislop – Hip – Season
Darcy Daniher – Back – Season
Alwyn Davey – Knee – Season
Bachar Houli – Groin – Season
Andrew Lee – Shoulder – Season
Courtney Johns – Knee – Season
David Myers – Foot – Season
Jay Neagle – Ankle – Season
Tayte Pears – Hip – Season
Jason Winderlich – Back – Season
Scott Gumbleton – Collarbone – Season

Posted 20 August 08 in News