OPPORTUNITY AWAITS
Last Thursday night’s game against North Melbourne was difficult watching for many reasons.
Inside-50’s were plentiful but lacking polish.
Pressure was hot and cold.
Chances to put away the lowly Kangaroos were missed.
But more than anything, injuries were the largest of the negatives.
Harry Jones got himself a minor fracture in his foot, along with an obvious dislocation in his ankle, Jade Gresham has a low-level adductor strain, and Jordan Ridley a significant hamstring strain. Though each of these players have avoided surgery, none will be available for this Saturday afternoon’s matchup against the Sydney Swans who just took down flag-fancies the GWS Giants at the SCG.
Ridley is the most obvious disappointment in the trio of injuries. Just when there appeared to be a level of synergy between himself and rising Zach Reid, fans are now forced to wait weeks to see if the pair can recapture that form. The remaining two injuries I think have been met by Bombers fans with mixed feelings.After all, both players have yoyo’d much of the season so far and questions have been plentiful about their value in the best-22. But whatever may be thought of them, it’s the hope of all Dons faithful that Jones and Gresham make a swift recover!
Overall, it’s simply disappointing to have suffered three additional injuries, after already having struggled with so many this year. We fans have just gotten past the pain of losing Nick Bryan and Sam Draper is successive weeks (to season-ending injuries no less), only to be thrown the pain of three more!
But there is a silver lining to all of this, however, because with injury comes opportunity … quite a number of them. As it stands, there are gaps across the front, middle and back of the squad. So the question is … who could come in?
NIK COX
This poor bloke has really been through it.
After suffering concussion symptoms at the start of the season, he followed it up with a calf complaint. If anyone knows how cruel football can be, it’s Nik Cox. But the question remains, is he ready for an AFL return?
Looking at the positions made vacant by the carnage of injuries the club suffered during Thursday night’s three-point win, Cox could find his magnet hovering over both a backman spot and a wing.
Can Nik Cox find his form at AFL level again and be the unicorn so many hoped he was?
The club was eager to utilise him in the backline last year, most of the time poorly. Fans were quick to declare the move a failure, and despite persistence from the club, it’s fair to say the fans were on the money. Nik Cox is no backman. But that doesn’t mean the club won’t play him here. And then there’s the wing. Where he shone all those years ago against the Swans up at the SCG – when we all thought the club had found a unicorn. A giant with a phenomenal kick, on both sides no less.
But that was a long time ago.
And in the light of 2025, Cox is looking more bust than bang.
But footy is all about the comebacks, isn’t it? The redemptions? After all, look no further than Zach Reid who has done more than impress the Bomber hordes, he’s excited the AFL landscape and shown that sometimes all you need is a little luck and a clear run of injury to show that you’re a true top-tier footy player.
Cox survived his first competitive hit-out against the Roos in the VFL, registering a few chance shots on goal when he played for a time up forward. But will the club be cautious with Cox? I suspect this may be the case. I can’t fathom the commentary that would ensue should he get injured in his return after such a lengthy period out. If the club chose to play it safe, I wouldn’t begrudge them.
But if they did play him, I’d be shocked not to see him sauntering down a wing at Marvel come Saturday afternoon.
LEWIS HAYES
Many a Dons’ fan have watched him develop during his short tenure at the club, since being drafted in the 2022 AFL National Draft.
He’s shown some solid form in the VFL and seems a reliable option that is worthy of giving a debut. And if this club is indeed still several years from attempting a finals run, surely it’s players like Hayes that should be given time to develop in the AFL. The more he plays - surely the better he can be. Right?
ANGUS CLARKE
This is a huge outside chance, but after a solid return via the VFL last weekend, Clarke pleased many with his efforts across half-back.
If Scott was feeling wild, Clarke might play.
But Scott is not wild and Clarke will not play - but it’s certainly exciting to see what he can produce for the remainder of the year.
SAAD EL HAWLI
Easily one of the club’s most anticipated debuts of 2025, even if he only got a chance as a sub. His energetic arrival in the club’s win over Port Adelaide some weeks ago was electric. The most disappointing thing? The club has yet to reward him with a full four quarters to show what he is capable of. El Hawli appears to be a versatile player, showing glimpses mostly across the half-back this year (when afforded the opportunity), but it’s clear he is a tidy fit for a spot on the wing.
Harrison Jones’s ugly ankle injury was sad to see, but for a player like El Hawli, surely this is the time that he not only returns to the senior side, but finally gets his magnetic chucked straight onto that vacant wing.
Given the club’s recent issues with the position and filling it with a true wingman, El Hawli might just be the type of player Essendon has been looking for.
El Hawli impressed when given the chance … will the Dons give him the chance against the Swans?
MATT GUELFI
Damn, it feels like a century since this guy last played for the club. He’s been a fan favourite since he first rocked up and it’s not without reason. Hard at the contest, handy around goals and dangerously handsome, Ol’ Guelf has been sorely missed by all in the red and black.
Jade Gresham’s minor setback has him sitting out at least a week, but as fate would have it, the timing is fairly good. After surviving his first hit out in the VFL, most would be surprised if Guelfi’s name didn’t get mentioned ahead of the club’s late-arvo matchup against the Swans.
Against North, one of the core issues was making the most out of the team’s inside-50’s. Nine goals from 41 entries was poor to say the least, but keeping that damn football in there was even more irritating. The Dons are in dire need of players who can put on serious pressure - especially in the forward line. And if Matt Guelfi is anything, he’s a pressure machine. It’s what he built his brand off of. It’s what you expect of him, good game or bad.
So, now that he’s gotten through some competitive footy - maybe it’s time for Draco Malfoy to finally return to the best-22.
Calendar ready, check. But is he ready for Saturday arvo at Marvel Stadium?
JAYDEN LAVERDE
Curious, curious, curious. Much like Guelfi, it feels like one day Laverde was in the side week in week out … then he was gone.
No one would ever question Laverde’s desire to be a good footballer. God knows he tries his guts out. But as cruel as it feels to say it, the man has a lower ceiling than the club would like, and in a backline where the ball is a frequent visitor, his flaws and limitations are in the spotlight.
This point is not negated by his form in the VFL, which was recently limited due to a two week ban for headbutting against Port Melbourne. Laverde’s form hasn’t been poor by any stretch, but neither has it been enthralling - which, for a guy who has played as much senior footy as Jayden, it really should. It should be evident he’s too good for the VFL. Yet, here we are.
Will Laverde see a senior game again as a Bomber?
I’d be surprised if Laverde got the call up for the Sydney match, especially after spending two weeks on the sidelines, but really who knows. Brad Scott is known for prioritising seniority over youth and bringing back Laverde from AFL exile doesn’t seem that far-fetched.
We shall see …
There are number of others I could have thrown up, including Kayle Gerreyn who slotted three against the Kangaroos in the VFL or even Zak Johnson who continues to impress. But it’s fair to expect that the club will be playing the long game with this duo, and if they are to debut, I’d suspect it will be much further down the track.
Despite Sydney’s lacklustre start to their 2025 campaign, it’s clear that they still harbour plenty of talent and have finally found their way back onto the winners’ list as of last Sunday. Nabbing a win over them on Saturday at 4:15pm will be no easy feat.
So, like all of you, I will be waiting patiently and with just a hint of anxiety come Thursday evening when that team selection comes through. Let’s just hope whoever comes in performs.
Because a win over the Swans would be a delight and a much-needed W, with far tougher fixtures ahead.
Go Planes.