A scan has revealed that Essendon captain James Hird has not injured a groin muscle and is still a chance to play this weekend. Hird left the field last Saturday with groin soreness and scans have revealed a minor tendon strain rather than the a more serious muscle injury. ""You would much rather that than the muscle,"" Essendon's football manager Matthew Drain said. ""He will do some running tomorrow and provided he pulls up well we still think he will play on the weekend.""

The doubt on Hird is offset by news that Dean Rioli and Justin Blumfield are both certain to return with Chris Heffernan also a chance after playing well in the VFL practice match.