Essendon will be bolstered by the return of small forward Angus Monfries in what looms as a make or break game against Adelaide this Saturday night.

Matthew Knights says the timing couldn’t have been better with Monfries showing strong form prior to being struck down by a hamstring injury.
“I’d expect him to come through with flying colours today in the session,” Knights said.

“The week’s break was a bonus for us in that Angus Monfries has missed two games plus the third game being the bye.

“He was in terrific form before he went out so it would be great to have his experience back in the team.""
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Knights says the Bombers’ next month of football will play a critical role in defining their 2010 season, starting this Saturday night against Adelaide.

“I would have thought that the next month is going to make us or break us from this season’s point of view,” Knights said.

“In many ways the last six weeks have yielded some really strong football and we’ve had some really good wins and some tight losses, apart from the Geelong game.

“The next month is big for us and that starts with Adelaide on Saturday evening.

“It is a huge game for us, with Adelaide showing improved form last week against Melbourne.

“They look like they’re getting back to a bit of form but we are coming off Hawthorn which was a loss so we are looking to get into the winner’s circle and put in a big effort.”
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There is no denying the Bombers’ poor recent travel record with Knights admitting that it is something the team will look to improve this weekend.

“The last game we played interstate was against Sydney and I thought we acquitted ourselves really well, albeit we didn’t get the points and we were all really frustrated walking away from that game,” he said.

“Our last game interstate was strong so we have got to take that form again to Adelaide.

“Factually it hasn’t been a good ground for us but we are looking to change that this week and get stuck in.”