Essendon Bombers AFL News

Lloyd & Ryder Still In Doubt
Skipper Matthew Lloyd and ruckman Paddy Ryder will have until the end of the week to prove their fitness ahead of the Bombers’ “mini-final” with Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG. Coach Matthew Knights said both players would do some light work at training on Tuesday ahead of their final fitness tests later in the week. “Both are progressing well but on Thursday and Friday they’re going to have to push and put the foot to the floor with their intensity on the training track,” Knights said at training on Tuesday. Both are moving forward but it’s not a fait accompli they’re going to play.” Lloyd is battling a heel injury while Ryder missed last week’s loss to Fremantle because of a knee problem. »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: Bomber Blitz

Bendigo Thumped Yet Again
By David J Richardson Windy Hill lived up to its name, with a strong northerly (i.e. cross-field) dominating the game. Until he went off injured, Hale was the basic difference between the teams — first as an unstoppable full-forward, and then in the second quarter in the ruck, where he set up a huge run that blew the game away. He was only stopped by a bump by Bristow that resulted in a serious hand (?) injury — I say serious as he held onto it tightly for the full minute or so it took him to slowly walk from the field before he went straight to the rooms, from where he did not return. The game was pretty scrappy due to the wind, with a disappointing amount of compensation for it by both teams. Bendigo desperately needed a tall forward, given precise kicks to forwards were near impossible. Their sole resistance came from a “mosquito squad” of players including Skipworth (our BOG), Hulme, Holmes, and Stroobants. Hocking was much better than Nash. Reimers started in defence, started with an appalling turnover kick from it, got sent forward, and shortly afterwards was off the ground. VFL ROUND 19 Bendigo Bombers 2.4 4.6 8.9 10.10 (70) North Ballarat 5.4 12.6 16.11 21.16 (142) GOALS: Bendigo Bombers: Hulme 2 Hocking Holmes Nash Magin Delahunty Bristow Stroobants Skipworth North Ballarat: Jones 5 Thomas 3 Hale 3 Urquhart 2 Wundke 2 Power 2 McMahon 2 Chester Dinnell BEST: Bendigo Bombers: Hulme Skipworth Hocking Nash Crameri Scanlon North Ballarat: Thomas Power Sewell Clifton Jones McMahon »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: Bomber Blitz

Davey Does His Shoulder
Forward Alwyn Davey’s 2009 is likely over after MRI scans on Monday revealed damage to his AC joint. He is expected to be sidelined for at least 3 weeks, meaning the Bombers will need to go deep into the finals for him to return. “The results confirmed that Alwyn has a grade three injury to his shoulder which is fairly severe,” Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said. “There is very little he can do other than rest over the first couple of days. He is very sore and cant lift his arm up at this stage so we will give him a period of rest. “Once it is rested up and the swelling has gone down, we will start working on some basic movement patterns and build it up from there.” »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: Bomber Blitz

Bombers can bounce back: Knights
Essendon coach Matthew Knights has complete faith in his players' ability to overcome the Hawks on Saturday »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: AFL.com.au

Buddy ban not on Bombers' minds
Uncertainty over the availability of star Hawk Lance Franklin is not taking Essendon's focus from its normal routine, says Matthew Knights »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: AFL.com.au

Knights unsure on Lloyd, Ryder
ESSENDON may have to go into Saturday's crucial final round shoot-out against Hawthorn without Matthew Lloyd and Patrick Ryder. »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: News.com.au

Live - Was Buddy's bump legal?
SHOULD the tribunal overturn Lance Franklin's suspension? Debate with Robbo from midday. »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: News.com.au

Tigers may have coach tomorrow
RICHMOND is expected to reveal its new coach tomorrow, after the coaching subcommittee met on Sunday to consider candidates Ken Hinkley and Damien Hardwick. »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: News.com.au

Buddy blow over Ben bump
HAWTHORN is almost certain to fight a two-game ban arising from Lance Franklin's controversial bump of Ben Cousins. »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: News.com.au

Shoulder injury outs Davey
Scans reveal Essendon's Alwyn Davey will miss two-four weeks with a shoulder injury »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: AFL.com.au

McVeigh prepares for biggest test
Essendon midfielder says team is ready for the challenge of defeating reigning premier Hawthorn to make the finals »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: AFL.com.au

Bombers will 'deserve' finals spot
Essendon coach says his side will play finals "if we're good enough" after Sunday's heavy loss to Fremantle »
Added: 6 months ago, Source: AFL.com.au