Despite a bulging injury list, Essendon will not go down the path of other clubs by putting players out to pasture and resting them for the remainder of the 2006 season. In proof it is still out to win games, and desperate not to finish on the bottom of the ladder, the club will still play the best team available for the remainder of the year.

""We are aware of where we are. I don’t like finishing on the bottom of the ladder at all, but I am not to die over it – life will go on,"" Kevin Sheedy explained today.

""But I would think the most important thing is to build this club up again it’s extremely important. It’s not about draft choices I can assure you.

""It’s just been one of those years.""

With the Kangaroos today putting an end to Shannon Grant’s season, and Adam Simpson and Daniel Pratt to abort their season’s at the conclusion of Round 19, the intention of the boys from Arden St is to kick start their 2007 pre-season early.

While Essendon is putting the preparations in for next season, there is still pride on the line and winning games still a priority. Consequently, the club will be doing everything to get Adam McPhee back in the senior side after missing last week with a shoulder injury, rather that resting the key Bomber.

""I wouldn’t do that. McPhee will be pushing to get fit this for this week. That being said, if players need to have an operation, what’s the good of playing them?""

""The Kangaroos haven’t had a lot of injured players this year, so it really depends on how the club is situated. If anything our players are out because of poor form. We have done that a couple of times this year and we will probably do it again before the end of the year.

""And we don’t have a lot to bring in, it’s just where we are this year. No one planned to have the injuries we have at the moment.""

In the pride stakes, no game is more important than that against the old enemy Collingwood. And the Bombers will be looking for a big performance on Friday night.

""Look we would like to play very well against Collingwood. They have been in terrific form,"" Sheedy said.

""Knowing Collingwood and all those nuff nuffs out there they would love to see Essendon win a wooden spoon but we are trying to defend that at the moment,""

""Obviously Collingwood have gone through their tough times over the years not only in the last few years but also probably about four or five times in the last eight years. We have to take the opportunity to beat them we might get the opportunity to knock them out of the final four contention. We have got our own determinations.

""In the last month of 2006 season, it gives us an idea of where or not we might be. This match is an important match to see where Essendon is.""

To watch the full press conference on Bomber.tv click here.