Darcy Parish will miss Essendon’s clash with Sydney on Saturday night after the club confirmed a fresh injury setback for the star midfielder.
The 26-year-old sat out the Bombers’ AFL season opener last weekend but trained on Wednesday, with coach Brad Scott expecting Parish to be cleared by the medical team.
He was subsequently named in the 23 on Thursday, yet by Friday morning it had all turned again.
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Essendon announced Parish had been withdrawn with hamstring ‘awareness’ following the main session.
“Ben Hobbs will come into the 23 and Dylan Shiel is added as an emergency,” the club said.
The Bombers are yet to confirm if Parish has undergone a fresh round of scans.
Parish’s setback looks set to allow Archie Perkins more time in the midfield after a breakout performance against the Hawks, which could prove crucial against big-bodied Swans stars Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner.
“It’ll depend on whether Parish is available or whether we choose to pick him,” Scott said before Parish was ruled out.
“There’s options through that dynamic in there, but we couldn’t have been happier with Perks’ performance last week. He’s a very flexible player.
“I perhaps unfairly likened him to Isaac Heeney, referencing the position they play – very good forwards but clearly very good midfielders as well. So he’ll play the role that he and we think is best for the team.”
Meanwhile, ruck dynamo Sam Draper remains on track to partner Todd Goldstein for the first time after he was named for his return.
The 25-year-old has been patient after undergoing surgery in September to repair a groin injury that ruined the back half of his 2023 season.
But after playing three VFL practice matches, Draper only needed to complete Wednesday’s main training to earn selection for Saturday night’s SCG showdown with Swans recruit Brodie Grundy.
“Drapes is certainly right in the mix on the back of a conservative long-term rehab,” Scott said on Wednesday.
“And based on last year, we really missed him. So we were determined that once we get him back, we’ve got him back for good.
“But he’s certainly done everything in his power to make himself available this week. So provided he trains well, I suspect we’ll pick him.
“My only two cents’ worth is let’s do everything that we can to get him back to the Sam Draper that we know and not just try and rush to get him back because he makes our team look better on paper.
“So it’s about getting him back to his best and as long as that takes is as long as it takes.
“The way that he’s looked and he’s played now three VFL games, which has frustrated him, because he feels like he’s ready to go. So that’s the attitude I want – him to (be) chomping at the bit.”
Mason Redman (suspension), Zach Reid (hamstring) and Matt Guelfi (calf) are all sidelined.
– with AAP
