The Bombers are well underway in pre-season and for the first time in many years, close to the entire squad is participating in full training. Fitness coach John Quinn said there are a few players on modified programs but there are no serious injuries to worry about. “Overall we are extremely pleased with the progress the team has made to date. They are working hard on the track and in the gym and we are already noticing significant improvements in individual players,” Quinn said.

Bombers injury list:
Adam Ramanauskas - modified program
Dean Solomon - specialised program to re-introduce him into full training. Should be in full training next week.
Mark Johnson - non-impact training due to slight bone bruising on knee.
Mark Alvey - recovering from knee injury, close to full training.
Damien Peverill - modified program due to stress fractures in lower leg.

In other training news:

  • The four new draftees - Kepler Bradley, Brent Stanton, Jay Nash and Ricky Dyson -will commence pre-season training this week.

  • The team will leave this Sunday for a five-day training camp in Cann River, where they will work on team bonding and leadership skills.

    • With the 2003 National Draft complete, Essendon has finalised its 2004 senior list.
    Mark Johnson
    Mark Mercuri
    Aaron Henneman
    Jobe Watson
    James Hird
    Sean Wellman
    Dean Solomon
    Jason Winderlich
    Adam Ramanauskas
    Mark McVeigh
    Damien Peverill
    Andrew Welsh
    Damian Cupido
    Jason Johnson
    Darren Walsh
    Matthew Lloyd
    David Hille
    Ted Richards
    Tristan Cartledge
    Mark Bolton
    Joe Misiti
    Scott Lucas
    Jason Laycock
    Joel Reynolds
    Sam Hunt
    Dustin Fletcher
    Adam McPhee
    Marc Bullen
    Ben Haynes
    Courtney Johns
    Dean Rioli
    Matthew Allan
    Justin Murphy
    Mark Alvey
    Kepler Bradley
    Brent Stanton
    Jay Nash
    Ricky Dyson

    De-listed: Shane Harvey, Rob Forster-Knight, James Davies, Jordan Bannister, Simon O'Keefe.
    Traded: Cory McGrath, Danny Jacobs.
    Retired: Steven Alessio, Paul Barnard.
    Rookie de-listings: Ken Hall, Scott Howard, Toby McGrath, Adrian Wilson.
    2003 Draftees: Kepler Bradley (no. 6), Brent Stanton (no. 13), Jay Nash (no. 28) and Ricky Dyson (no. 44).

    Important date:
    The National Rookie Draft - Tuesday, December 16th.

    Click here to renew or purchase your 2004 Essendon membership.