Soreness and workloads were two key factors in Essendon’s decision to leave out nine players for the match against Gold Coast on Sunday.

The Bombers have brought in 12 players who didn’t play in last week’s match against Collingwood for the game against the Suns.

After damaging a finger tendon at training on Tuesday, David Myers is one of the players left out.

“Obviously with Myers it’s an injury but a couple of the other boys pulled up a bit sore, so we want them to get rid of that full soreness before we get them playing again,” Worsfold said.

“The other guys like [David] Zaharakis, Zach Merrett have come off big seasons and [Mark] Baguley is the same.

“They’ve had a lot of footy last year carrying a big workload so we’re just going to give them the weekend off.”

Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Zaharakis, Baguley, Craig Bird, Patrick Ambrose, James Kelly and Orazio Fantasia won’t make the trip north.

The final 26 will be announced 90 minutes before the game.

After resting a number of players in the final quarter last week, Worsfold said the coaching group would continue to closely monitor the workloads of the players that do run out.

“The number one focus is match practice, preparation and fitness for the season so volume of minutes and distance for the boys,” Worsfold said.

“Joe Daniher is back in so we’ll ease him in but that’s all about what he needs to be ready for round one… that’s our main focus.

“Obviously we expect the boys to take in to this game everything we’ve been practising in the way we move the ball and how we want to defend. 

“We also want to see the senior players show a lot of leadership for some of these young players getting an opportunity.”