Adam McPhee is a certain starter for Essendon in Round 1 after getting through yesterday’s VFL practice match against Werribee. The match committee felt McPhee would benefit from a hit-out with Bendigo after missing some of the pre-season with a hamstring strain. McPhee moved well, putting to rest any fears he would miss the match against the Kangaroos.

Andrew Welsh however may miss the start of the season with hamstring tightness. Welsh is expected to train later this week and face a fitness test but Matthew Knights has been very clear on the fact he will not risk players – particularly early in the season – that are not 100 per cent fit.

McPhee played up forward for Bendigo, kicking the first goal of the game. He sat out the second half and watched a very young Bendigo line-up go down by five points to a Werribee side that contained a number of listed Kangaroo players.

Other senior-listed Essendon players that took part in the game were Tom Bellchambers, Jay Neagle and Andrew Lee. Lee and Bellchambers came through the game unscathed but Neagle was forced from the ground after a knock to the ankle. It will be assessed this week but early indications are that it is not serious.