It’s too early to tell if key Essendon trio Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Orazio Fantasia will be fit to play against Sydney in next week’s Elimination Final. 

Hooker withdrew from the side in the moments leading up to the match against Fremantle.

He was suffering from ‘bone bruising’ and will be monitored in the lead up to the match against the Swans.

“Cale was a late withdrawal with some pain in his leg, obviously that was reasonably late in the warm up so Heath Hocking got the opportunity to play,” High Performance Manager Justin Crow said. 

“We didn’t really get the chance to look at it until well after the game and we’ve checked it out again today.

“He’s got some bone bruising on the outside of his leg.

“That’s still pretty sore, we’ll just wait to see how that comes up over the next week or two.

“These (injuries) are unpredictable – we’re hopeful and optimistic, but we’ll just need to see how it progresses.”

Fantasia has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury.

The small forward who has booted 38 goals this season will need to pass a fitness test next week before he’s cleared to play.

“He’s progressing well, he’s doing plenty of running, he’s getting stronger,” Crow said.

“Orazio will be a fitness test leading in to the Sydney game.”

Hurley – who was named in the 40 man All Australian squad on Monday – has not featured in the last two home and away matches because of a calf complaint.

Like Fantasia, he will build up his training program in the lead up to the match against the Swans before he’s given the all clear.

“’Hurls’ is running well, tracking nicely – how we’d expect – but it will eventually come down to a fitness test leading into the Sydney Swans,” Crow said.