Injury update: Bombers will gradually welcome back returning stars

To be managed by a group of Dons for preseason games.

When it comes to their injured players, Essendon will proceed cautiously when playing St Kilda in their opening preseason match on Friday.

The RSEA Park practice match will not feature Jordan Ridley, Peter Wright, Ben Hobbs, or first-year draftee Nate Caddy. However, they are all anticipated to be ready for Friday’s Community Series Match against Geelong.

Wright and Ridley have been involved in primary training lately, and they will gradually return to competitive games, while Caddy is injured following an unfortunate landing during last week’s marking challenge at training and Hobbs is recovering from a slight bruise to his shoulder.

Following Wednesday’s Bombers training session, defender Jake Kelly reported feeling pain in his hamstrings. As a result, he will miss the team’s inaugural preseason game.

Sam Draper has integrated into main training after ticking all the boxes in his return from a groin injury, but won’t play Friday as he continues to build his preparation towards the start of the season.

Over the weekend, the 25-year-old took part in a match simulation with Dylan Shiel, a midfielder who has made significant progress in his recuperation from the foot injury that kept him out of action in 2023.

While rookie Tex Wanganeen has made progress toward his recovery from foot surgery at the close of last season by gradually increasing his weight bearing fitness in recent weeks, Kaine Baldwin is still in the early phases of his rehabilitation from a stress fracture in his foot.