Team Mgmt. Essendon Current Injury List

[The Jet]

Zaharakis ---> “He pulled up a bit sore today but hopefully it is just a corkie to the lower back and he will be tested throughout the week and hopefully he gets up this weekend.”

“From all indications he has just pulled up a bit stiff and sore so we will just manage that during the week.”

Veteran Dustin Fletcher is expected to take his place against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday after receiving a heavy knock during a marking contest last in the win over the Dogs.

“He doesn’t come off too often Fletch so to see him doubled over and walking off the ground was a bit concerning,” Alessio said.

“In the end was winded pretty badly and has pulled up pretty well today at training.”

Stewart Crameri is also expected to line up against the Giants after he was left out of the team to face the Bulldogs in order to give him an extra week to regain his fitness.

“He pushed really hard for selection against the Western Bulldogs and trained really hard last Friday but we wanted to be conservative with him,” Alessio said.

“We would expect him to have a full week of training and put his hand up to play against GWS.”

Dyson Heppell’s broken nose is not expected to hamper his preparations for the trip to Sydney however Heath Hocking is expected to miss another week with his calf complaint.

Zaharakis - Fitness test (Corked lower back)
Fletcher - Available (General Sorness)
Heppell - Available (Broken Nose)
Crameri - Available (Ankle I think!)
Hocking - 1 week (Calf Complaint)
Watson - 4 weeks (Collarbone)

Annoyed with Hocking, it's been a week for the 3rd week this week. Just get the right time frame in the first place, not that hard!

 

[rines]

It's still a pretty 'good' injury list isn't it really.. Only one soft tissue injury..

I think if it was Hawthorn Hocking would be back.. but GWS means they will give him another week.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Proof we took PEDs right there for everyone to see

 

[daffo]

Hocking tore his calf. He may not be back for the Hawks game.

 

[The Jet]

Hocking tore his calf. He may not be back for the Hawks game.

Where did you hear that crap? he's playing next week, no news on a new tare.

 

[xMichaelx]

Did have a giggle at how good our injury run has been up till last few weeks. Considering an injury thread was only required after 15 rounds.

This time last year, this thread was havoc.

 

[The Jet]

High hopes for Watson's early return

Battle-weary Essendon is buoyed by the prospect of captain Jobe Watson completing a rapid recovery from his broken collarbone.

While the club has several immediate injury concerns, Watson is quietly ticking all the boxes to ensure the injury he sustained nine days ago does not keep him out for more than a month, possibly less.

The 2012 Brownlow medallist had surgery last week and doctors are encouraged by his range of motion and the limited pain so soon after the operation.

Watson joined his teammates at recovery at St Kilda Sea Baths on Monday without a sling and seemingly not bothered by the repaired fracture in his collarbone.
Bombers football manager Steve Alessio said the club was becoming confident Watson could be ready in a couple of weeks.

It is even possible Watson could return in time for the round 19 game against Collingwood, which is shaping as pivotal for two teams gunning for a top-four spot.

''Jobe has been really good,'' Alessio said. ''The doctors have been really enthused by his rate of recovery, in terms of the range of motion in the shoulder and just the preliminary work he has been able to do.

''Remembering that it is a bone break, so it does take a certain amount of time for it to heal, but from all reports the operation was good and the wound itself has healed really well.

''So hopefully sooner rather than later for Jobe, but [he is] still a couple of weeks off.''

It's not all good news for the Bombers, with several key players set to be closely monitored this week after injury concerns following Sunday's win against the Western Bulldogs.

Midfielder David Zaharakis was subbed out after copping a heavy knock to the lower back and is in serious doubt for Saturday's game against Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium.

Scans on Monday cleared him of any internal damage and he will be tested this week, but considering the short turnaround, travel factor and opposition, the Bombers could opt to take a conservative approach.

Alessio said: ''He pulled up a bit sore today, so hopefully it's just more of a corky towards the lower back and it frees up during the course of the week.''

Defender Dustin Fletcher had a similar concern after going down hard in a contest in the last quarter, but Alessio said he had pulled up better than Zaharakis.

Rising star Dyson Heppell had a broken nose, but the Bombers are almost certain he will play against the Giants, as will key forward Stewart Crameri, who has missed two matches with an ankle injury.

Ruckman Tom Bellchambers also had a cortisone injection in a hand on Monday as part of what Alessio called the ongoing management of a complaint, while midfielder Heath Hocking could be another week away from resuming from a calf injury that has kept him out for a month.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/high-hopes-for-watsons-early-return-20130715-2q099.html#ixzz2ZCpGjhxB

 

[yaco55]

Think Daffo is saying that Hocking tore his calf as opposed to straining his calf. One is usually a 3 or week injury and the other is usually 6+ weeks.