Essendon has placed Jackson Merrett on the long term injury list following a broken leg sustained in the VFL last month.

The 24 year old was stretchered from the field after landing awkwardly in a marking contest.

He suffered a broken fibula and a tear in his syndesmosis. 

There were initial hopes Merrett could potentially return if either the VFL side or AFL side proceeded deep into the finals.

But a surgical review in recent days ruled out any hope of Merrett returning this season.

Placing Merrett on the long term injury gives the Club the option of promoting a rookie list player and allowing that player to be selected in the senior side.

No player has been promoted at this stage.

Jake Long and Sam Draper are the rookies eligible for promotion.

Ben McNiece is also on the rookie list but he has been ruled out for the season with a neck complaint.

Shaun McKernan was a rookie listed player at the start of the season but was promoted to the senior list mid-season and remains eligible for selection in the AFL side.