Essendon selectors will have at least another four players to throw into the mix when they sit down to select the side to play Melbourne in Round 13 on Friday, June 28th. Paul Salmon (achilles), Gary Moorcroft (flu), Cory McGrath (ankle) and Dean Rioli (suspension) will all be available to play against the Demons. Rioli, who has now completed his three-match suspension, will be available to play for the Bombers’ VFL side that plays the Box Hill Hawks this Sunday.
“For him to get a game under his belt in the VFL side is a bonus for us,” Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said. “It will help with his match fitness and give him a better chance of forcing his way back into the senior side the week after. He has worked really hard during the past three weeks so he should be pretty close.”
The big three – Hird, Lloyd and Joe Misiti – continue to work towards their respective comebacks with Hird the first cab off the rank. Hird looks likely to return for Essendon’s Round 14 match against the Western Bulldogs, although he still remains an outside chance of returning a week earlier. “He is a chance to play against Melbourne but we will be guided by the medical advice we get,” Drain said. “It is an injury that you certainly don’t take any risks with – when we are told he is right and he feels ready to go he will be selected.”
Lloyd continues to make good progress with the brace being removed from his hand on Friday afternoon. He will continue his intensive physiotherapy program and he could also return against the Western Bulldogs in Round 14. Misiti is a likely starter the following week against West Coast. Misiti has already missed five matches after breaking his wrist against Carlton.
