Essendon skipper Zach Merrett will return for his 250th career game on Thursday night against Carlton.
The Captain underwent successful surgery on a metacarpal fracture in his hand last week, and following consultation with a surgeon on Monday, he’s been officially cleared to play in the Club’s final home game at the MCG.
Forward Liam McMahon will also be available for selection - scans showed no structural damage after the mid-season pick’s hand was stomped on late in last Friday’s defeat to the Saints. He’s trained fully this week and is expected to line up on Thursday.
Defender Jayden Laverde was subbed out of last week’s match against the Saints after receiving a heavy knock to his hip in a marking contest. He is expected to train fully this week and take his place in the team to play Carlton.
Elijah Tsatas will remain on the sideline this week having not yet fully recovered from a hamstring injury that’s sidelined him since round 19.
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| Player | Injury | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
26. Archie May |
MCL |
Test
May avoided serious damage to his MCL after landing awkwardly against Collingwood. He will be a test for round eight. |
|
17. Vigo Visentini |
Hamstring |
1 week
Visentini injured his hamstring in the round one VFL match against Geelong. |
|
23. Harrison Jones |
Calf strain |
2 weeks
Jones sustained a calf strain in round three of the VFL. |
|
14. Jordan Ridley |
Calf strain |
3 weeks
Ridley suffered a low-grade calf strain against the SUNS in round six. |
|
18. Lewis Hayes |
ACL |
4 weeks
Hayes suffered an ACL injury during his debut game against Sydney in round nine last year. |
|
36. Angus Clarke |
Foot (stress fracture) |
5 weeks
Clarke sustained a stress fracture in his foot during round three of the VFL. |
|
8. Brayden Fiorini |
Back |
TBC
Fiorini is making gradual progress with his back. A clearer return-to-play time will be confirmed once he recommences skill-based training. |
|
10. Isaac Kako |
Back stress |
TBC
Kako has sustained a stress injury to his back. |
|
37. Nic Martin |
ACL |
Season
Martin tore his ACL in the round 18 clash against Richmond last year. |
26. Archie May
May avoided serious damage to his MCL after landing awkwardly against Collingwood. He will be a test for round eight.
17. Vigo Visentini
Visentini injured his hamstring in the round one VFL match against Geelong.
23. Harrison Jones
Jones sustained a calf strain in round three of the VFL.
14. Jordan Ridley
Ridley suffered a low-grade calf strain against the SUNS in round six.
18. Lewis Hayes
Hayes suffered an ACL injury during his debut game against Sydney in round nine last year.
36. Angus Clarke
Clarke sustained a stress fracture in his foot during round three of the VFL.
8. Brayden Fiorini
Fiorini is making gradual progress with his back. A clearer return-to-play time will be confirmed once he recommences skill-based training.
10. Isaac Kako
Kako has sustained a stress injury to his back.
37. Nic Martin
Martin tore his ACL in the round 18 clash against Richmond last year.
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