News

Knights: Slattery will return on Friday

Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Jessica Cook for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Henry Slattery will return to the Essendon side for Friday night's blockbuster against Carlton replacing the suspended Mark McVeigh, coach Matthew Knights said today.

Speaking to media with Carlton coach Brett Ratten, Knights said Nathan Lovett-Murray is also in the selection mix after a number of excellent training sessions.

Knights said he will wait to see how Adam McPhee (calf) and Brent Prismall (ribs) get through this week’s main training sessions before making any final selection decisions.

“Slattery will come back into our line up pending on how he gets through today’s session,” he said.

“Bachar Houli (virus) has been pretty crook; I would say he is very unlikely to play as he hasn’t trained all week.

“Lovett-Murray has missed five weeks now with the mid season break, mind you his training has been first class in those four or five weeks. He is really pushing the envelope pretty hard, he looks as good as I’ve ever seen him. I have to take that into account."

To watch Knights and Ratten on Bomber.tv click here

Knights said he is pleased with the improved form of veteran Scott Lucas but he needs to keep putting in strong performances as he will be treated like every other player when it comes to selection.

“What we are doing with Scott is the same as any other player; you’ll be picked in the 22 on merit week in week out,” he said.

“I’ve sat down and worked through that with Scott after his stint at Bendigo, like any other player he will be picked on merit. And we’ll deal with any for next year at the end of the season."

Knights said his side is looking forward to the crunch game against Carlton and understands that it could be a season defining game.

“This game is a huge for us. It is a massive game. There should be 80 or 90 thousand people there, so that is why the game should be a big part of this weekend’s football calendar,” he said.

“I’m sure both clubs are really looking forward to this game, I know we are.

“Whoever comes away with the victory on Friday evening, either coaching staff or playing group will be pretty happy as they will be heading in the right direction.”

When asked who would be given the big job on Brendan Fevola the coach said he expected to stick to his plan for 2009 to give young players big jobs to aid with their development.

"I would think Tayte Pears would get a chance on Fevola but we also have Dustin there playing well," he said.

Knights admitted Fevola was a concern and said that limiting his impact would go a long way towards deciding the result of the game

"He has kicked bags of seven, eight and nine goals on us which is pretty amazing in the modern game," he said.

PLAYER PROFILE: Henry Slattery
PLAYER PROFILE: Nathan Lovett-Murray
PLAYER PROFILE: Tayte Pears

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Knighter,u have to play Lovett-Murray, his game this year has been 1st class,he was unlucky copping 3games(was it?)should of copped a fine/warning!love his game! HARDNUT!we need more players with his grunt!

- mawby Ian (posted 23/06/2009 11:28:16 AM)

Where is hurley how is his training going

- Scott williams (posted 23/06/2009 12:19:04 PM)

Big shame about Prismal and McPhee! Those two guys out, combined with McVeigh is a massive, massive blow. Once again players like Dyson and Winders will have to continue the form they've shown all year. Really looking forward to Friday night. My MCG home seats are right up the front. GO BOMBERS!

- Andrew Dunsy (posted 23/06/2009 12:20:37 PM)

When will we get to see Hurley again? I hope Prismall pulls up ok. Once he gets more match practice he will be one of our best players.

- Matt Roche (posted 23/06/2009 12:28:16 PM)

Looking forward to this game the win over the Demons was great although will have to go harder was impressed with Pris's 2nd game is Zaka coming back in I've heard Tyson is likened to Glenn Archer if that's the case and he's ready surely he's a chance to debut

- Simon Mayo (posted 23/06/2009 12:33:55 PM)

Gee, our chance of winning has just decreased. Regards Ivar.

- Ivar Biggen (posted 23/06/2009 12:35:25 PM)

Play Lovett-Murray. He just dds so much to the team.

- shaun koimans (posted 23/06/2009 12:51:23 PM)

I would not like to pick this weeks team !! we are getting to a point where good players are not certain of getting a game but the pressure to maintain a 1st team spot will ensure 100% commitment so bring on the blues !!!

- tom amos (posted 23/06/2009 1:03:04 PM)

I agree with the form of Lovett-Murray, he was having his best year to date before he got suspended, so I would be putting him straight in. He has a bit of size about him and is very creative. Slattery did well on Eddie Betts in round 3, he will be a good inclusion. Hopefully Prismall is ok to go, his ribbs are a bit of a worry so fingers crossed. He's a class act and will only get better. Will be great to have him in the midfield on Friday against the over rated Carlton meatheads. Bring em on!

- Peter Daly (posted 23/06/2009 1:30:27 PM)

I really feel for the selectors. Under the pump again!

- Justin Millard (posted 23/06/2009 1:49:51 PM)

If slattery comes in, i think hocking will go out as they both play that small backmen role and there is no need for more in and under players in the middle as we have pris watson welshy and lonergan to get the ball out now. So if knights is to bring slattery in which he will as he loves him, i think lovett murray should come in as well for mcveigh and hocking.

- Michael Bear (posted 23/06/2009 2:06:11 PM)

Just heard froma reliable source the Pris's ribs are cracked and MCphee in serious doubt with a calf. Pris could be 2-3 and mcPhee maybe a month. I would bring back houli, Slatts and NLM to cover them

- Monster Cork (posted 23/06/2009 2:20:54 PM)

Prismall and McPhee will play on Friday. Both got knocks in the first quarter and went off as a precaution and then played out the rest of the game. Pears to get first crack at Fevola and use Fletch to roam around our defensive 50.

- Nathan Beever (posted 23/06/2009 2:23:44 PM)

rather have lovett-murry or hurley play but anytym i talk down slattery he makes me eat my words sp lets hope he does again. peter daly dont need 2 worry bout prismal. him playing out the game should tell u he will b fine. had some big inclusions since round 3 and they have some big outs. with wait and cloke being some of their outs since round 3 and our 1 being hille. cant wait for this week hope the bomber supporters are their to out number the blues ill b there go dons.

- Nick Holdsworth (posted 23/06/2009 2:24:06 PM)

Matt Roche, Hurley should play VFL this weekend and will be in contention for a senior position against Collingwood, but will most likely play against Sydney

- Nathan Beever (posted 23/06/2009 2:25:16 PM)

There's no way Hocking will be dropped. He's been great this year. And he's definitely at Knights favourite.

- Andrew Dunsy (posted 23/06/2009 3:36:44 PM)

monster cork i would like to hear who your reliable source is. because the only reliable source that is aroundis prismal, knights and the essendon medical staff. so would you care to say who it is. if prismal managed to play out the game and gets tackled while still playing i doubt he is going to miss. he will play and mcphee will aswell we he tre up the last 3 quarters and they will both dominate against carlton go bombers.

- Nick Holdsworth (posted 23/06/2009 3:59:55 PM)

IN: Lovett-Murray OUT: McVeigh (suspended) NUFF SAID

- Matthew Donica (posted 23/06/2009 4:23:45 PM)

Slattery Lovett Murray in what about Nash and Neagle.

- Danny Namoni (posted 23/06/2009 5:08:09 PM)

We should have a better team overall than the one that last faced Carlton, regardless of who is picked.

- Greg Sloan (posted 23/06/2009 5:23:10 PM)

Matthew D, they've already said that Slattery will be in for McVeigh. Will have to drop somebody else for LM. Unless McPhee and Prismall don't play.

- Andrew Dunsy (posted 23/06/2009 5:31:08 PM)

What has knights got against Lucas?

- anastasia Meek (posted 23/06/2009 5:33:08 PM)

Let's make it five in a row Bombers. THEY KNOW WE"RE WAITING!!!GO THE BOMBERS '09 and BEYOND!!!

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 23/06/2009 5:50:39 PM)

who's your source monster cork or should i say 'wannabe hutchi'..... It's stated in the Knight's press conference that Houli hasn't trained all week is even very unlikely to play, yet you want him in your side this week..... go figure

- Craig Hughes (posted 23/06/2009 7:06:06 PM)

Michael Bear, Have you even been watching in the last 4 to 5 weeks? Hocking will not be dropped mate. I shouldn't need to tell you y if u watch the games. If not then don't comment.

- Brenton Davis (posted 23/06/2009 7:20:44 PM)

i think its better to flood the backline this friday making it dam hard for carlton to get a good mark have 2 players on fev and have a few forwards down the back aswell then get the ball to lovett and see him fly to the forward line and kick a goal GO THE MIGHTY BOMBERS

- jamie zammit (posted 23/06/2009 7:35:34 PM)

I would say there are a number of players in this team who are very determined to see finals action. There's is no one faster than Davey, no one more accurate than Lovett, no one leaps higher than Monfries. This is a team that has been energised by the return of Welsh and Fletcher. Need to win more marking contests in defence. Betts and Murphy are the worry, you can't predict Fevola. Ratten is wrong its not about top 4, its about top 8.

- Richard Hayward (posted 23/06/2009 8:16:01 PM)

Folks,ole Ivar's back fresh from asking a STUPID question to Zaka on Rd 12 game night....I think he might be kin to John "Pigs Arse" Elliott,who has "done it again" for Carlton (with opening his mouth):-) Isn't it an embarrassment of riches having selection pressure now,with more players available for selection (touch wood),all we need is have another ruckman back soon to help out Paddy!! All the BEST Bombers for the rest of the season :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 23/06/2009 8:25:36 PM)

hopefully prisa and mcphee play friday night.im confindent that the boys can get the job done matty llyod would make sure that

- Antonino Papalia (posted 23/06/2009 8:45:03 PM)

why do they continue and show faith in slattery, he doesnt give any offencive rebound and deffence he always gets beaten, next they will tell me that his hard at it, whats the point if his always gets beaten, i would rather persist with houli or lovett murry coz atleast they will give us something...slattery u r over rated by your coach, sorry but its true, and everyone please i want u to really and i mean really watch him and then ask yourself does he belong in our best 22

- Lawrence Hanna (posted 23/06/2009 8:57:00 PM)

Ivar will prismall and mcphee play you should know you know everything

- Brett Martin (posted 23/06/2009 9:49:03 PM)

his reliable source is ivar biggen

- Brett Martin (posted 23/06/2009 9:50:33 PM)

I hope Hurley comes in, He smashed Tredrea and Fevola is as strong as Treds, we have always had trouble stopping power forwards.

- Shannon Hudson (posted 23/06/2009 10:26:22 PM)

if mcphee and prismall are indeed out then the INs must be zaka, NLM and slattery for mcveigh. would go pretty damn close to our best side of the year...

- Maddalena Galli (posted 23/06/2009 10:34:32 PM)

agree with l. hanna about slattery being beaten most weeks,also doesn't give us enough rebound,hurley,atkinson,would be better options,nlm should come back 4 mcdudd,hope pris is ok as will be a key player 4 us,hocking does a good job so he should stay,bring zaka back against pies,thanks shane briggs

- Samantha Briggs (posted 24/06/2009 11:26:27 AM)

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