Well yes, that makes more sense
We basically just agreed 
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Essendon will take a cautious approach with their recovering players for Friday’s first pre-season hitout against St Kilda.
Jordan Ridley, Peter Wright, Ben Hobbs, and first year draftee Nate Caddy will sit out of the practice match at RSEA Park, however are all expected to be available for Friday week’s Community Series Match against Geelong.
Wright and Ridley have been active in main training in recent weeks and will ease their way back into competitive games, while Hobbs nurses a minor shoulder knock and Caddy is sore from an awkward landing in a marking contest at training last week.
Defender Jake Kelly reported hamstring awareness after the Bombers’ training session last Wednesday and will sit out the opening pre-season match as a result.
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.
The 25-year-old participated in match simulation over the weekend alongside midfielder Dylan Shiel, who has made major strides in his recovery from the foot injury that sidelined him throughout 2023.
Kaine Baldwin is in the early stages of rehab from a stress fracture in his foot, while youngster Tex Wanganeen has made inroads in his recovery from foot surgery at the end of last season, gradually increasing his weight bearing conditioning in recent weeks.
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9 players unavailable so virtually everyone else will be picked?
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Hamstring awareness hahahahahaha FMD we’re not running that again are we
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So about 20% of our first choice team unavailable.
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its as good an injury list this far out from the season we’ve had in some time (touch wood)
Hopefully no surprises on the eve of the season like 2MP last year
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Saints are pretty similar. These guys are all unavailable:
Dan Butler
Paddy Dow
Jack Sinclair
Hunter Clark
Zak Jones
Ben Paton
Jack Hayes
James Van Es
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It’s a pre season game, there is a bit of management going on.
On the face of it I’d say we only really have Baldwin, Wanganeen and Hunter unavailable for round 1 (obviously hoping for no further injuries)
Mate, come on. There’s been many times that we’ve reported it as “awareness” yet that player has missed 3 or so weeks
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Yeah usually reported as such then got a scan and found small tear
Given the issue came about last Wednesday time for a scan before todays report
But yes I agree with you there are times things aren’t always given whole truth
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It’s the baseline. Injuries get worse from here. Not better.
Mostly pretty minor. I can’t remember the last time the list was this healthy in February. Touch wood
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Remember when Nick Kommer had a minor knee issue??? Was never seen again. The days of smoke and mirrors with supporters are well and truly alive.
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Big Boy Wanganeen thankyou. BBW. 
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Kelly aware that he pinged his hammy more likely
I dont belive this for a second next week comes and they still wont be avaible you watch
Ridley has at least missed a month with the calf but yeah its a minor one lols
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Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, you can’t get fooled again.
Nino, calves are very easy to re-strain, even if the original injury was just a minor one. As are quadriceps and hamstrings, if you don’t give them the right amount of time to heal up. The muscles in your legs do a ■■■■-ton of work, even just in day to day activities. Much like Ridley with his calf, you need to give it as rest.
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