AFL 2024: Dylan Shiel and Sam Draper are still absent from Essendon

Sam Draper and Dylan Shiel, the unfortunate Essendon combination, will probably have to demonstrate their fitness in the VFL before the season starts because they were not selected for the Bombers’ last preseason game against Geelong on Friday.

Bombers supporters will also have to wait longer to witness much sought-after top-10 choice Nate Caddy in action, as the team announced that it will maintain a “cautious approach” while the forward recovers from a painful fall that left him flat on his back during practice two weeks ago.

After missing Essendon’s crushing match sim loss to St Kilda last week, Peter Wright and recently re-signed defender Jordan Ridley will be back, while Dyson Heppell, the former captain, has been left off the squad after the Saints encounter.

Rhys Stanley is still the chosen No. 1 ruck going into 2024, but Geelong kept forward Ollie Henry out of the lineup as a precaution after he twisted his ankle during training this week. Tall and in form Toby Conway was named as an emergency.

Connor O’Sullivan, a first-round draft selection, was also left off the Cats roster after playing well last week against Carlton both on the wings and in defense.

Mitch Georgiades was listed as an emergency as he continues to recover from an ACL injury, but Port Adelaide was able to reacquire important forward Todd Marshall for their match against Fremantle.

Jeremy Finlayson was left off of the Power’s 26-man roster, leaving only Ivan Soldo and Jordan Sweet on the roster.

Small forward Tom Emmett is sick and will miss the match, but Fremantle will utilize Gold Coast newcomer Jeremy Sharp on a wing after he missed last week’s West Coast match due to illness.

While defender Brandon Walker did not make the roster for the Dockers 26 in an effort to recover from a broken leg he suffered in the previous season, AFL journeyman Oscar McDonald will start in defense in lieu of the injured Brennan Cox.

Jye Amiss (corked quad) was left out by Fremantle, but the star forward should be eligible for round one at Alberton Oval, where he will face Josh Treacy and Matt Taberner for a forward partner.