""It’s not the best thing to do to risk them in Round 1. We have got other huge games coming up after that, against St.Kilda the next week. I would hate to have a double hit with those boys and lose them for seven weeks instead of three,"" he said.
To add to the Bombers’ injury woes, in the dying minutes of Monday’s training session, Jobe Watson hurt his thigh. ""I’d say he is 70-30 maybe 80-20, he’s a fair chance. I’d say the selectors will give him every chance,"" Sheedy said.
Despite having six to seven regular players sidelined for Round 1, Sheedy is still looking at the positives. ""What good thing this does is it gives us a good opportunity for us to see a draft choice. We also want players who have been around the club three years to put their hand up, stand up when the club needs them.""
No matter what happens this weekend, it will be a very different Essendon side that takes on St Kilda at The Dome next weekend. Dustin Fletcher will have completed his suspension and will return while Mark McVeigh, Johnson, Mercuri and Dean Solomon could all return from injury.
Two Marks ruled out of season opener
Kevin Sheedy has ruled Mark Johnson and Mark Mercuri out of selection for Round 1. The pair both injured hamstrings in the Wizard Cup semi final against St.Kilda and it was hoped they would be available for the Port Adelaide match. ""Senior players won’t be risked. If they are injured then they are not going to play,"" Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy said at training this morning.
