Bombers embrace selection ‘dilemma’
Essendon coach Brad Scott says he welcomes the “selection dilemma” caused by Archie Perkins’ return from a hamstring injury against West Coast on Saturday night.
Perkins is set to face the Eagles after getting through training on Wednesday following three weeks on the sidelines.
The 22-year-old made a brilliant start to his season in a more prominent midfield role and was averaging 22 disposals, six clearances and six tackles before he suffered the hamstring injury against Port Adelaide in round 4.
Scott, who after round 1 likened Perkins to Sydney star Isaac Heeney for the potential impact he could have as a midfielder-forward, said the Bombers would welcome him back into the side among an array of in-form on-ballers.
Darcy Parish (25 disposals and a goal) enjoyed his best game of the season in the drawn Anzac Day clash, while Sam Durham and Jye Caldwell have also been prolific with more midfield time afforded by the absence of Perkins and Will Setterfield, who could miss another fortnight with a knee issue.
“(Perkins) has had a really strong rehab block – we’ve been really conservative with him,” Scott said.
“We’re assuming he’ll get through the session really strongly (on Wednesday), and we’ll have a selection dilemma.”
Small forward Matt Guelfi could also return from a calf injury after he had 16 disposals and kicked the matchwinning goal in the VFL on Saturday.
Scott said the Bombers were “really pleased with most aspects of the game” against Collingwood and suggested they were likely to again select all four of Sam Draper, Todd Goldstein, Peter Wright and Harry Jones.
Jones has been cleared of any structural damage to his face after he was subbed out early in the final quarter following a knock on Anzac Day.
“It’s horses for courses … we think we’re going to have some options available in that space – we’ll look at who we’re playing, the particular roles. Rather than just looking at height, we think we’ve got flexibility within that height,” Scott said.
“We’ll work through it on a week-to-week basis and whether we go with the same structure this week, we’re not sure yet.
“It’s not just Drapes and Goldy, Drapes is we think a very effective forward. There’s good, positive pressure for spots … we’re all about actions, and if everyone keeps delivering, we’ve got all our talls playing really well, then we’ll play them all.”
“West Coast are playing some really good footy the last four weeks – we’re well aware of the threats that they pose. We’ll still select a side that we think is best equipped to get the job done against them.”
