2011 Rising Star Dyson Heppell could make a return to the field this week, after overcoming soreness in his knee.

 

Heppell - who has missed the past two games - had played every game since making his debut in Round 1 last year.

General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said the return of the 20-year-old would bolster the Bombers side, coming off a six-point defeat from Melbourne on Saturday.

“There was great disappointment in the weekend’s loss and we know it wasn’t our best effort,” Hamilton said.

“Sometimes you can learn a lot more from a loss, so we will examine it, work out what went wrong and what we can do better and then look ahead to the Sydney game.”

“Dyson is tracking well and is certainly in the mix to return this week,” Hamilton said.

“Michael Hibberd is also close and is a good chance to return so we’ve got a possibility of a couple of players.

“We’ll asses their form and give a number of players every opportunity to prove their fitness this week.”

David Myers and Kyle Reimers will also push for senior selection this week after making a strong case dominating for Bendigo in their defeat over Williamstown in the VFL on Saturday afternoon.

“We’ve had some good form from players in the VFL,” Hamilton said.

“Both of those boys have played really well and guys will be given opportunities if we think they deserve them.”

Hamilton also highlighted the continued form of Scott Gumbleton, who again impressed for Bendigo in just his second game back from injury.

“The first quarter of the game was the best form Scott has been in recently which was so pleasing,” he said.

Gumbleton booted three goals and was named amongst the team’s best on ground performers in their 19-point win at Windy Hill.

“It’s great to see him out on the park but to play with the vigour and enthusiasm he showed was terrific,"" Hamilton said.

“Now the opportunity is there for him to build his match fitness and get him playing senior football again soon.”

Essendon’s focus now turns to the fifth-placed Sydney Swans, when the two sides face off at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

“It is a critical game and we have two sides that have had reasonable seasons so far,” Hamilton said.

“We want to see a bounce back and a return to some of the form that we have shown earlier this year.”