Essendon is set to receive a big boost with experienced midfielder David Zaharakis selected to face Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday among two changes to the side.
Zaharakis has recovered ahead of schedule from a significant collarbone injury suffered against Richmond in round 11, and Bombers coach John Worsfold said the on-baller had proven himself ready at training this week.
“He’s a professional, his preparation over the whole time he’s been injured has been geared around being ready to play once he’s right to go and step into the AFL,” Worsfold said.
“(We are) really rapt and he looks very excited about how good he feels.”
While the Bombers have won four of five matches since Zaharakis’ untimely injury, Worsfold admitted the side has still missed the prolific ball-winner.
“We definitely miss him, he’s a gun player for us,” he said.
“But we’ve been fortunate that the depth of the squad and the form of the players that were out of the team while Zacka was in meant when they came in they filled the role at a really high level.
“In terms of affecting our ability to win games, we haven’t noticed it. But overall, Zacka’s a really important part of our team.”
Exciting forward Orazio Fantasia joins Zaharakis in the inclusions to further strengthen the line-up ahead of the must-win clash.
Fantasia hasn’t taken the field for the Bombers since a brilliant four-goal performance against North Melbourne in round 15, with a minor adductor strain leading to his late withdrawal for the team’s clashes with Collingwood and Gold Coast in the last fortnight.
Worsfold was adamant Fantasia will play this weekend after once again returning for his previous late replacement Jake Long.
“It’s lingered a little bit longer than we thought it would have, but he’s ready to go.
“It was very close last week, but he’s feeling good and (I’m) excited to have him back.”
Long has shown promising signs in his recent efforts in the senior side and Worsfold stressed he is not being withdrawn due to form.
“We haven’t left him out of the team because we’ve been disappointed in his performance – he’s been really good playing his role.
“With Orazio coming back someone has to make way and Longy’s the unfortunate one.
“But it’s been a good couple of weeks for him to get another feel for the AFL tempo and show what he’s got.”
Rebounding defender Conor McKenna is the other withdrawal after a minor issue reared its head this week.
“He’s had a groin complaint and he couldn’t really hit top speed last week in the game,” Worsfold said.
“This issue is potentially not related, but it seems to have just flared up where we don’t think he’ll be able to hit anywhere near top speed on the weekend, so we need to get that right.”
Fremantle sits just below Essendon in 13th on the ladder, and Worsfold is expecting a tough challenge from the Dockers after their impressive victory over top-four contender Port Adelaide last week and given the Bombers’ loss to the side in round two.
“They’ve got a young team, so they’ve had a bit of inconsistent form, but when they’re really switched on and going we know all teams can take it up to anyone else in the comp.
“And we saw how well they can play earlier in the year. So it’s an opportunity for us now to keep building on the footy that we’ve been bringing week in week out over the last six or eight weeks.”
FINAL TEAM:
B – Dea, Hooker, Guelfi
HB – Saad, Hurley, Goddard
C – Colyer, Z. Merrett, McGrath
HF – Smith, McKernan, Heppell
F – McDonald-Tipungwuti, Brown, Myers
R – Bellchambers, Parish, Fantasia
I/C – Zaharakis, Langford, Baguley, McNiece
Emergencies – Francis, Ridley, J. Merrett, Long
IN – Zaharakis, Fantasia
OUT – McKenna, Long
