A decision on whether Matthew Lloyd (heel) and Patrick Ryder (knee) will line up in this Saturday’s mini-final against the Hawks is expected to be made following training on Friday.

Knights told media today that both key-position players were progressing well from injury but would need to boost their training intensity before being given the all-clear.

“Both players are moving forward but it is not a definite that they are going to play and we won’t know that until they get up (training) to 90-95-100 percent,” he said.

“Lloyd and Ryder play in positions where you need to be able to go top-end speed and I’m pretty sure this game on Saturday will be really, really hot so they will need to be physically ready.

“They will train today doing light work but we won’t put the burners on yet. They will have a real good go on Thursday and Friday and decisions will be made from there.”
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Their inclusion would provide a significant boost to the Essendon line-up that has been hit by a barrage of injuries to key players.
Saturday's game will determine whether the Bombers taste finals for the first time since 2004 but, despite the natural temptation to rush back two star players, Knights said he would not shift from his philosophy of only selecting players who are close to or 100 percent fit.

“They are very important players to our structure and obviously we would love them to be in the 22 but it is a case of their bodies really coming up and being physically ready to play,” he said.

 “If you look at Ryder’s position it is the most demanding position on the ground. You bang bodies, jump and leap and always have to get back on deck. He is going to have to be pretty sound to play.

“Lloydy’s position is a touch different because he is looking a take-off speed and jumping so with a heel that is paramount. 

“Both positions are really demanding positions that they play, that is why I believe that they have got to feel pretty good about themselves to get up and play.

“It would be great to have them in the line up, if they both did come up it would be huge for the team.”

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Should Ryder and Lloyd be declared fit to play, Knights said there could be up to four changes for Essendon’s finals decider.

 “We will look at the team closely and potentially make two or three changes but it will all depend on Ryder and Lloyd because if they are right to go then they are going to come into the side,” he said.

“That will give you two changes straight away and we might look at one or two others. It could be up to four but it could be as little as one.""
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