Essendon forwards coach Paul Corrigan says Joe Daniher will gradually build up his game-time as he strives towards peak performance.

Osteitis pubis restricted the star forward to just seven games in 2018, but the 24-year-old will tonight make his long-awaited return on limited minutes in the Bombers’ JLT Community Series opener against Carlton.

“Obviously he has had a long rehabilitation program that we’ve been really cautious with, so we’re making sure we are getting him right and don’t rush him,” Corrigan told Macquarie Sports Radio.

“Sometimes you can get a bit excited when players start to progress well and you can start pushing them a little more or put more load into them, but we’ve been monitoring his progress week in and week out.

“Joe has been extremely diligent with his program and we will see him play some minutes against Carlton, which will be fantastic for him and the side.”

Essendon won 10 of its last 14 games in 2018 but finished 11th on the ladder due to a slow start to the season.

Corrigan said competition for spots in the senior side was immense after the team’s “really good pre-season”.

“When you look at the back half of last year, we were able to see what a number of players were able to produce,” he said.

“In the forward line we brought in Shaun McKernan and Mitch Brown to play roles and they really stood up.

“We were also able to get some playing time into the younger guys which challenges players inside the 22 to perform, and if not, we know we have VFL players that can come in and perform whatever role that may be.

“I think having that added depth will be great but no doubt having guys like Joey back and putting Shiel into the mix will give us more flexibility.”

Essendon and Carlton will go head-to-head at Ikon Park from 6:40pm AEDT.

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