Changes in the air as Bombers feel more injury strain
Essendon coach Brad Scott has forecast some dramatic role changes for his players as the Bombers deal with more injuries.
After beating Richmond in a scrappy Dreamtime blockbuster on Friday night, Essendon moved back into the AFL's top eight with a 6-4 record.
But the Bombers continue to face challenges with their list after forward Kyle Langford (quad) and breakout defender Zach Reid (hamstring) failed to finish the game.
Essendon have already had four season-ending injuries this year, including ruckmen Sam Draper and Nick Bryan, with important talls Jordan Ridley and Harry Jones also sidelined long-term.
The Bombers on Saturday revealed Reid and Langford had both suffered strains, but were unsure how long the pair would be sidelined.
"I held the coaching group back a little bit post-game," Scott said on Friday night.
"There's going to be challenges, but this is what we're here for. This is a coaching opportunity for us. We need to think differently.
"We may need to recast some players in different positions, but the key is how we coach that and get them ready for that.
"It's not just a matter of moving the magnets, it's about preparing players to play slightly different roles.
"We, of course, don't want to lose players to injury, but six debutants so far this year and likely more to come, we like what we've seen from some of our draftees and some of our other untried players in the VFL."
Essendon could be busy in the mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday as they search for ruck help for veteran Todd Goldstein.
Reid, a top-10 draft pick in 2020, endured a torturous start to his career after injuries restricted him to nine games across his first four seasons.
But the 23-year-old has played all 10 matches this year to be one of the AFL's most improved players and a pillar in the Bombers' defence.
"We just have no choice at this stage of his career with his injury history, we just took him off and ruled him out," Scott said of Reid.
"Like always you're devastated for the players involved that are injured.
"The tough thing about this game is you need to show the right amount of empathy to those players, but then move on as a head coach really quickly."
Essendon head to the Gabba on Thursday night for a clash with reigning premiers Brisbane.
Essendon coach Brad Scott has forecast some dramatic role changes for his players as the Bombers deal with more injuries.
After beating Richmond in a scrappy Dreamtime blockbuster on Friday night, Essendon moved back into the AFL's top eight with a 6-4 record.
But the Bombers continue to face challenges with their list after forward Kyle Langford (quad) and breakout defender Zach Reid (hamstring) failed to finish the game.
Essendon have already had four season-ending injuries this year, including ruckmen Sam Draper and Nick Bryan, with important talls Jordan Ridley and Harry Jones also sidelined long-term.
The Bombers on Saturday revealed Reid and Langford had both suffered strains, but were unsure how long the pair would be sidelined.
"I held the coaching group back a little bit post-game," Scott said on Friday night.
"There's going to be challenges, but this is what we're here for. This is a coaching opportunity for us. We need to think differently.
"We may need to recast some players in different positions, but the key is how we coach that and get them ready for that.
"It's not just a matter of moving the magnets, it's about preparing players to play slightly different roles.
"We, of course, don't want to lose players to injury, but six debutants so far this year and likely more to come, we like what we've seen from some of our draftees and some of our other untried players in the VFL."
Essendon could be busy in the mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday as they search for ruck help for veteran Todd Goldstein.
Reid, a top-10 draft pick in 2020, endured a torturous start to his career after injuries restricted him to nine games across his first four seasons.
But the 23-year-old has played all 10 matches this year to be one of the AFL's most improved players and a pillar in the Bombers' defence.
"We just have no choice at this stage of his career with his injury history, we just took him off and ruled him out," Scott said of Reid.
"Like always you're devastated for the players involved that are injured.
"The tough thing about this game is you need to show the right amount of empathy to those players, but then move on as a head coach really quickly."
Essendon head to the Gabba on Thursday night for a clash with reigning premiers Brisbane.
Essendon coach Brad Scott has forecast some dramatic role changes for his players as the Bombers deal with more injuries.
After beating Richmond in a scrappy Dreamtime blockbuster on Friday night, Essendon moved back into the AFL's top eight with a 6-4 record.
But the Bombers continue to face challenges with their list after forward Kyle Langford (quad) and breakout defender Zach Reid (hamstring) failed to finish the game.
Essendon have already had four season-ending injuries this year, including ruckmen Sam Draper and Nick Bryan, with important talls Jordan Ridley and Harry Jones also sidelined long-term.
The Bombers on Saturday revealed Reid and Langford had both suffered strains, but were unsure how long the pair would be sidelined.
"I held the coaching group back a little bit post-game," Scott said on Friday night.
"There's going to be challenges, but this is what we're here for. This is a coaching opportunity for us. We need to think differently.
"We may need to recast some players in different positions, but the key is how we coach that and get them ready for that.
"It's not just a matter of moving the magnets, it's about preparing players to play slightly different roles.
"We, of course, don't want to lose players to injury, but six debutants so far this year and likely more to come, we like what we've seen from some of our draftees and some of our other untried players in the VFL."
Essendon could be busy in the mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday as they search for ruck help for veteran Todd Goldstein.
Reid, a top-10 draft pick in 2020, endured a torturous start to his career after injuries restricted him to nine games across his first four seasons.
But the 23-year-old has played all 10 matches this year to be one of the AFL's most improved players and a pillar in the Bombers' defence.
"We just have no choice at this stage of his career with his injury history, we just took him off and ruled him out," Scott said of Reid.
"Like always you're devastated for the players involved that are injured.
"The tough thing about this game is you need to show the right amount of empathy to those players, but then move on as a head coach really quickly."
Essendon head to the Gabba on Thursday night for a clash with reigning premiers Brisbane.
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