An experienced Essendon team will travel to Perth this weekend, with coach James Hird confirming Jobe Watson, Andrew Welsh and Michael Hurley will all play against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
The Bombers have won only one of their last eight games at Patersons Stadium, and are coming off two consecutive losses, but Hird said the team's experience interstate was a factor in selecting the final make up of the side.
""We think we're taking a reasonably experienced side, who have all played interstate a lot. To us, it's not about where we play, but how we play and how we implement our game-plan,"" Hird said.
""Whether we're playing at Etihad, the MCG or Patersons Stadium this week, I believe it's insignificant. It's about how we decide to go out and play the game.""
Watson has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury suffered against the Brisbane Lions, while key position player Hurley has missed the last three with a calf/foot tendon problem.
Welsh, having been named to play the Gold Coast in round six but injuring his calf in the warm-up, will play his first game of the season. Hird said the 28-year-old, who has played 156 games for the club, would bring valuable strength to the forward line and midfield.
""Andrew brings a tough contest at the ball, his experience, and his ability to defend the ground I think is really important for us,"" Hird said.
""We don’t expect Andrew to have 100 possessions and kick 10 goals, but we expect him to contribute to the team like everybody else.""
Hird said the club was yet to decide on whether to play three ruckmen against Fremantle, but that the loss of Freo big man Aaron Sandilands would not sway the decision either way.
""We'll reserve our decision for a day or so. We're still in two minds, whether to play them or not,"" he said on Friday.
""The great thing about them is, we've got three quality tall players who have all played well at different stages of games. Whoever misses out will be unlucky, but we're still weighing it up.""
""Aaron's obviously a great player and we're lucky he's not playing on Sunday, but it doesn't influence it at all. It's really about us and the best mix for us.""
Although Essendon's injury concerns have eased with the return of Watson, Hurley and Welsh, players Scott Gumbleton (back) and Darcy Daniher (groin) have suffered slight setbacks, with Hird confirming both will not play in the VFL this weekend.
""Unfortunately for 'Gumbles' he had a bit of a back spasm last week and he trained well yesterday, but with one training session before a game, we didn’t think it was a risk worth taking. He'll play next week,"" Hird said.
""And, Darcy's groins are still a bit sore. Osteitis pubis is one of those things that you can't rush and as soon as you rush it, it flares up. We have to take it carefully and when he's right to play, he'll play,"" he said.
The Bombers have won only one of their last eight games at Patersons Stadium, and are coming off two consecutive losses, but Hird said the team's experience interstate was a factor in selecting the final make up of the side.
""We think we're taking a reasonably experienced side, who have all played interstate a lot. To us, it's not about where we play, but how we play and how we implement our game-plan,"" Hird said.
""Whether we're playing at Etihad, the MCG or Patersons Stadium this week, I believe it's insignificant. It's about how we decide to go out and play the game.""
Watson has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury suffered against the Brisbane Lions, while key position player Hurley has missed the last three with a calf/foot tendon problem.
Welsh, having been named to play the Gold Coast in round six but injuring his calf in the warm-up, will play his first game of the season. Hird said the 28-year-old, who has played 156 games for the club, would bring valuable strength to the forward line and midfield.
""Andrew brings a tough contest at the ball, his experience, and his ability to defend the ground I think is really important for us,"" Hird said.
""We don’t expect Andrew to have 100 possessions and kick 10 goals, but we expect him to contribute to the team like everybody else.""
Hird said the club was yet to decide on whether to play three ruckmen against Fremantle, but that the loss of Freo big man Aaron Sandilands would not sway the decision either way.
""We'll reserve our decision for a day or so. We're still in two minds, whether to play them or not,"" he said on Friday.
""The great thing about them is, we've got three quality tall players who have all played well at different stages of games. Whoever misses out will be unlucky, but we're still weighing it up.""
""Aaron's obviously a great player and we're lucky he's not playing on Sunday, but it doesn't influence it at all. It's really about us and the best mix for us.""
Although Essendon's injury concerns have eased with the return of Watson, Hurley and Welsh, players Scott Gumbleton (back) and Darcy Daniher (groin) have suffered slight setbacks, with Hird confirming both will not play in the VFL this weekend.
""Unfortunately for 'Gumbles' he had a bit of a back spasm last week and he trained well yesterday, but with one training session before a game, we didn’t think it was a risk worth taking. He'll play next week,"" Hird said.
""And, Darcy's groins are still a bit sore. Osteitis pubis is one of those things that you can't rush and as soon as you rush it, it flares up. We have to take it carefully and when he's right to play, he'll play,"" he said.
