Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd says losing free agent Darcy Parish could be a positive for the Bombers as coach Brad Scott reveals the latest on a growing injury list.
AFL: Essendon Bombers coach, Brad Scott spoke to the media following their round 9 defeat to the Brisbane Lions,
The Dons have now lost four consecutive games despite many bright patches within those defeats, eventually overwhelmed despite an excellent first half against Brisbane.
And the lengthy injury list prompted a Bombers legend to declare missing midfielder Darcy Parish “much more replaceable than you think” as he enters free agency.
Shiel had his ankle trapped under him in the centre square and limped off, but eventually returned to the contest and played out the game.
Scott said he had feared Shiel might have torn his syndesmosis given the nature of the collision but has backed the star midfielder to get up for Dreamtime at the ’G against Richmond.
He said club doctors had told him Shiel had only a rolled ankle, so he will continue to help lead the midfield alongside Zach Merrett in Parish’s absence.
Scott said defender Jake Kelly was ruled out with delayed concussion on Thursday, which means he will likely miss Saturday’s game under the 11-day concussion protocols.
He was to be tasked with taking on Charlie Cameron, but instead Andy McGrath made an excellent fist of the difficult match-up.
It means McGrath will likely take on a Richmond small like Shai Bolton on Saturday as the Tigers mid-forward hits top form after two strong showings.
Jordan Ridley missed the clash against Brisbane with concussion. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Ridley is certain to return to help out the besieged defence, which cannot call upon Jayden Laverde (shoulder) or Zach Reid (hamstring).
But while he was fit to play against Brisbane, Scott backed in the concussion protocols which ensured he missed the game after a round 8 knock against Port Adelaide.
“He is fine. He did a really hard running session during the week which surprised me because normally players off concussion are not ready for that stuff and this is the real positive around the steps being made to protect players from concussion,” he said.
“Because there would have been no reason not to play him this week medically. He passed every test, recovered really well.
“If these protocols weren’t in place I suspect the medical staff would have cleared him to play but sometimes you have to protect players from themselves. We would have loved to have had him, but for him and the game it’s the right thing.”
The club’s midfield form without out-of-contract mid Parish against Brisbane saw Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd tell Nine he would consider letting the 25-year-old free agent leave for free agency compensation.
Darcy Parish will be a free agent at the end of the season. Picture: Michael Klein
“Do they let Darcy Parish go and go after, in a trade, a gun centre half-back? Can we let go of a midfielder, because we are not going too bad in that area. Can we target someone who desperately needs a midfielder and we will give you a centre half-back? These guys are much more replaceable than you think. He has kicked one goal this year.”
Richmond captain Toby Nankervis ramped up his rehab off syndesmosis surgery and is an outside chance to take on Essendon but is more likely to play in round 11.
Jacob Hopper’s calf tear will mean Richmond will need to replace his onball output, while Tom Lynch will meet with his specialist on Monday after foot surgery.
If the metatarsal bone has healed he can begin running but teammate Jack Riewoldt said on Saturday he was only likely to return after the round 15 bye.