Overview

• Sixteen Bombers are unavailable for Thursday’s clash with GWS, including Nic Martin (ACL), Will Setterfield (Lisfranc) and Elijah Tsatas (hamstring strain).
• Coach Brad Scott has initiated a comprehensive review of the club’s medical and conditioning programs to prevent a repeat of this season’s injury surge.
• Long-term losses to key rucks such as Sam Draper and Nick Bryan have intensified questions over Essendon’s load management and injury-prevention practices.
• Mid-season draftee Liam McMahon will debut as the 13th first-year player this season, equalling the most by an established club in a single year.
• The review comes under intensified scrutiny as other AFL clubs have reported similar injury surges, spotlighting league-wide concerns over conditioning protocols.