Days out from Essendon’s Round 1 blockbuster against Geelong, Bombers’ football boss Paul Hamilton says the club’s list is in the best shape it has been in for years.
""There are no soft tissue injuries at this stage so there is no doubt that we are healthier and fitter than we were at any time over the past two years so for us that is exciting,"" he said to Bomber.tv.
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With only Leroy Jetta and Tyson Slattery being monitored for injury concerns, Hamilton says it is promising position to be in ahead of Friday night’s clash with the reigning Premiers.
“There is an air of excitement around the place, as there usually is at the start of the AFL season, but we think we have a little bit more to be excited about this year,” Hamilton said.
“There is a lot of energy among the playing group and about the way they are going about it. They are attacking everything – their training, their playing style.
“We are looking forward to playing the reigning premiers - you can’t get a much better benchmark to measure ourselves against and to be playing Friday night footy at the ‘G is just terrific.”
T.Slattery has not been ruled out of contention for a Round 1 berth despite a small fracture to his wrist, while Jetta is still a month away following surgery to repair a dislocated thumb.
“Jetta and Slattery are the only injury concerns going into the season and Slattery is even a chance for this week which is really promising,” Hamilton said.
“Our medial team, our physical preparation team and our coaches have done a terrific job to have the team in this position leading into Round 1 which is really exciting.""
