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Fletcher named but doubt remains
Essendon has named full back Dustin Fletcher for tonight's game against the West Coast Eagles but a 'behind-closed-doors' fitness test at about noon will determine if he plays. As it stands, three changes have been made to the side that lost to Adelaide. Damian Cupido, Jason Winderlich and Paul Thomas were omitted. Justin Murphy, Mark Bolton and Angus Monfries come into the side.
Essendon has named full back Dustin Fletcher for tonight's game against the West Coast Eagles but a 'behind-closed-doors' fitness test at about noon will determine if he plays. As it stands, three changes have been made to the side that lost to Adelaide. Damian Cupido, Jason Winderlich and Paul Thomas were omitted. Justin Murphy, Mark Bolton and Angus Monfries come into the side.
Should Fletcher miss, it would seem likely that Sam Hunt will get another hard-earned crack at senior football. It has been a long time coming but Hunt's form at VFL level has been excellent. There also remains some doubt over Ty Zantuck after he left Subiaco Oval hobbling on what appeared to be a rolled ankle on Wednesday.
The Essendon team is:
Backs: McVeigh Fletcher Zantuck Half Backs: M. Johnson Bradley Welsh Centres: Stanton Peverill Murphy Half Forwards: McPhee Lloyd Hird Forwards: Lovett-Murray Lloyd Lovett Rucks: Hille J. Johnson Monfries Bench: Laycock, Solomon, Alvey, Bolton Emergencies: Hunt Reynolds Winderlich
Yesterday's departure call from Tullamarine definitely said Flight 683 to Perth. But the Essendon players could be forgiven for thinking they had been loaded onto the wrong flight. Heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed Perth yesterday and more of the same is expected later today with heavy showers forecast for Friday's game. It certainly didn't feel like Perth and hopefully it takes the West Coast Eagles out of their comfort zone.