ALESSIO / MCALISTER POST-SEASON SURGERY

Two more Bombers have recently undergone post-season surgery. Ruckman Steven Alessio had minor shoulder surgery while Daniel McAlister had a knee scrape. Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said neither operation was major. ""They were simple procedures. Both were more a matter of maintenance than neccessity,"" Drain said. ""Both players will be fully recovered by the time the pre-season commences."" Essendon captain James Hird is the only other player to have post-season surgery. Hird had a minor knee operation and he too will be fully fit for the commencement of the 2002 pre-season.