Young forward Archie May will be available for Essendon’s round nine clash against GWS at ENGIE Stadium.

Listed as a test last week, the 21-year-old was ultimately ruled unavailable for selection against Brisbane but has recovered well and is now set for a return.

Jye Caldwell will be a test ahead of this week’s game after sustaining an ankle injury in the third quarter of Saturday's defeat to the Lions. 

Saad El-Hawli will miss the next four weeks after suffering a broken collarbone in a fourth quarter collision - he underwent surgery on Tuesday morning. 

Rhys Unwin suffered a hamstring strain early in the VFL fixture against Williamstown on Saturday. Scans on Monday confirmed the injury, with the young Don set to miss the next six-to-eight weeks. 

Vigo Visentini and Harry Jones will both come back via the VFL this weekend after recovering from respective injuries sustained early in the season.

Defender Mason Redman also made a successful VFL return over the weekend on managed minutes.

As reported earlier, Brayden Fiorini will miss the majority of the 2026 home-and-away season due to a back surgery. 

​The Bombers take on the GIANTS from 4:15pm AEST on Saturday.