Bomber skipper James Hird failed to train this afternoon at Windy Hill and looks set to miss tomorrow night's clash with Hawthorn. Speaking with the press prior to training, Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy admitted his captain faced an uphill battle to prove his fitness. ""He's going to struggle,"" Sheedy said. ""He won't train tonight and we don't like taking players in if they aren't right. But we'll give him until tomorrow afternoon and he can make the decision - he knows his body better than we do.""

There was better news for the Bombers on the Dustin Fletcher front with the reigning best and fairest winner completing training tonight. Fletcher did not train on Wedensday night because of general soreness. Assuming Fletcher pulls up well after tonight's session he is a certain starter against Hawthorn.

Chris Heffernan trained with the senior group tonight as did emergencies Cory McGrath, Judd Lalich and David Hille. Ted Richards also spent time with the senior group. The session lasted no more than 40-minutes and the first half was held in pouring rain.