Essendon is taking a conservative approach with speedy forward Orazio Fantasia’s recovery from groin tightness, Bombers Physical Performance Manager Justin Crow says.
Fantasia pulled up tight after the club’s victory over Port Adelaide and is yet to return to the side.
Crow said it was important to be patient with Fantasia’s recovery and couldn’t confirm his availability for Essendon’s important clash with Hawthorn on Saturday.
“Orazio has tight groins and we know as a young, developing player he had a similar episode of groin tightness and pubic overload,” Crow said on Tuesday in the SKINS Injury Update.
“So we’re taking a very conservative approach with this issue and very much we’re taking it a day at a time.
“Tomorrow morning we’ll see where his strength’s at, we’re hoping to get him into the main training session and again if that goes well we’ll get a guide to whether or not he’ll be available this weekend.”
Experienced duo Tom Bellchambers and David Myers were both rested for the club’s match against Melbourne and are set to put their hands up for selection this weekend.
“Both of those players are fresh, they did a good training session on the weekend. We’re expecting them to return and play well,” Crow said.
Defenders Matt Dea (leg) and Mitch Brown (calf) have progressed well in their respective recoveries, with Dea expected to be available for the match against the Hawks.
“Matt Dea’s done a full match simulation on the weekend, he’s available to be picked.
“Mitch Brown is one week away. He did a good eight-kilometre session on the weekend, he’ll do all of the training this week and we’re expecting him to be available and ready to go for the Carlton game (in round eight).”
Crow confirmed young forward Josh Begley will undergo traditional procedure on his ruptured ACL on Thursday and said fellow forward Josh Green – who was also injured on ANZAC Day – is tracking well in his recovery.
“Josh Green had a hamstring strain, he’s rehabilitating well, he’ll be running again tomorrow and we’re expecting to see him return for the Geelong match (in round nine),” he said.
The Bombers are set for their third match in 11 days on Saturday and Crow said he was happy with the way the team has pushed through the first part of its frantic schedule.
“I was happy with our recovery efforts coming out of ANZAC Day and our preparation off a four-day break.
“Obviously now (after) the second game and off the Etihad Stadium surface (there has been) an increased focus on recovery this week.
“And then by tomorrow we’ve got our main session, so we’ll be ready to train with some intensity to take us into the game on Saturday.”
