Gary Moorcroft will miss Essendon's next six games due to a hip injury. Moorcroft will undergo sugery tonight to remove floating bone from the hip joint that has been causing discomfort and restricting his running. ""It is obviously disappointing for Gary and the club but it is something that has to get done,"" football manager Matthew Drain said. ""It is something he could not play at his top with so we will now work on getting him back as soon as possible.""

This latest setback adds to an unfortunate run with injury for Moorcroft. The fiery mid-fielder / forward underwent elbow surgery earlier this season which sidelined him for a month. Moorcroft played senior football in the Bombers' opening two rounds of the season and looked in good touch.

With Moorcroft now on the medium-term injury list, the Bombers playing stocks are being put to the test early in the season. Dean Solomon is out for the season with a knee injury while Paul Salmon is yet to play a senior game this year. Sean Wellman (hamstring) will miss at least two games while Scott Lucas is nearing a return after missing the past three weeks with a hip flexor injury.