Bombers defender succumbs to another hamstring injury
Ridley was subbed out of the Bombers' 93-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs in the second quarter with what the club described as "tightness".
But Essendon coach Brad Scott is fearful Ridley has damaged his hamstring for the third time this year.
The one-time Crichton medallist has been restricted to just 19 games over the last two seasons due to repeated to injuries.
"A hamstring strain, almost certainly," Scott said.
"We subbed him out immediately.
"When he feels his hamstring, there's no point sugar coating it.
"He'll go get a scan, and I hope to God I'm wrong. But doubt it.
"It's incredibly frustrating, devastating, all the words that you can possibly think of to describe it."
The Bombers have used 13 debutants this season - the equal most of any team in the AFL era - as injuries have ruined any hope they had this year.
Essendon have 10 first-choice players currently unavailable, leading the Bombers to part ways with their high performance boss at the end of the season.
The capitulation to the Bulldogs was their eighth-straight defeat, slumping to 6-12 with a percentage of 71.7 - the third lowest in the league.
Essendon still have five games remaining this season - many in primetime - giving their inexperienced players a golden opportunity to impress.
"It is a privilege to play AFL football, to be a part of it, so never take anything for granted," Scott said.
"I sort of get that people, could be forgiven for thinking, 'well, what's there to be gained for us' - there's an enormous amount to be gained.
"Because we are playing some players who wouldn't get an opportunity if we weren't in this situation, in terms of our availability.
"With that comes opportunity for them to get better and test themselves against really good players.
"I'm watching really closely to see how tight the group stays, how much fight they've got.
"Because if you can fight and you can go through the hard times, it builds character and resilience for when we can execute better."
Essendon defender Jordan Ridley's cursed run with soft-tissue injuries has continued after suffering a suspected hamstring strain.
Ridley was subbed out of the Bombers' 93-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs in the second quarter with what the club described as "tightness".
But Essendon coach Brad Scott is fearful Ridley has damaged his hamstring for the third time this year.
The one-time Crichton medallist has been restricted to just 19 games over the last two seasons due to repeated to injuries.
"A hamstring strain, almost certainly," Scott said.
"We subbed him out immediately.
"When he feels his hamstring, there's no point sugar coating it.
"He'll go get a scan, and I hope to God I'm wrong. But doubt it.
"It's incredibly frustrating, devastating, all the words that you can possibly think of to describe it."
The Bombers have used 13 debutants this season - the equal most of any team in the AFL era - as injuries have ruined any hope they had this year.
Essendon have 10 first-choice players currently unavailable, leading the Bombers to part ways with their high performance boss at the end of the season.
The capitulation to the Bulldogs was their eighth-straight defeat, slumping to 6-12 with a percentage of 71.7 - the third lowest in the league.
Essendon still have five games remaining this season - many in primetime - giving their inexperienced players a golden opportunity to impress.
"It is a privilege to play AFL football, to be a part of it, so never take anything for granted," Scott said.
"I sort of get that people, could be forgiven for thinking, 'well, what's there to be gained for us' - there's an enormous amount to be gained.
"Because we are playing some players who wouldn't get an opportunity if we weren't in this situation, in terms of our availability.
"With that comes opportunity for them to get better and test themselves against really good players.
"I'm watching really closely to see how tight the group stays, how much fight they've got.
"Because if you can fight and you can go through the hard times, it builds character and resilience for when we can execute better."
Essendon defender Jordan Ridley's cursed run with soft-tissue injuries has continued after suffering a suspected hamstring strain.
Ridley was subbed out of the Bombers' 93-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs in the second quarter with what the club described as "tightness".
But Essendon coach Brad Scott is fearful Ridley has damaged his hamstring for the third time this year.
The one-time Crichton medallist has been restricted to just 19 games over the last two seasons due to repeated to injuries.
"A hamstring strain, almost certainly," Scott said.
"We subbed him out immediately.
"When he feels his hamstring, there's no point sugar coating it.
"He'll go get a scan, and I hope to God I'm wrong. But doubt it.
"It's incredibly frustrating, devastating, all the words that you can possibly think of to describe it."
The Bombers have used 13 debutants this season - the equal most of any team in the AFL era - as injuries have ruined any hope they had this year.
Essendon have 10 first-choice players currently unavailable, leading the Bombers to part ways with their high performance boss at the end of the season.
The capitulation to the Bulldogs was their eighth-straight defeat, slumping to 6-12 with a percentage of 71.7 - the third lowest in the league.
Essendon still have five games remaining this season - many in primetime - giving their inexperienced players a golden opportunity to impress.
"It is a privilege to play AFL football, to be a part of it, so never take anything for granted," Scott said.
"I sort of get that people, could be forgiven for thinking, 'well, what's there to be gained for us' - there's an enormous amount to be gained.
"Because we are playing some players who wouldn't get an opportunity if we weren't in this situation, in terms of our availability.
"With that comes opportunity for them to get better and test themselves against really good players.
"I'm watching really closely to see how tight the group stays, how much fight they've got.
"Because if you can fight and you can go through the hard times, it builds character and resilience for when we can execute better."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
14 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian story: Young star of Vietnamese descent becomes record-breaking Bomber
Jayden soon became a football fanatic, and was talented too. When the family moved he joined Avondale Heights and eventually played senior football at Aberfeldie. He first played for Essendon in AFL NGA matches in 2019, playing alongside future first-round draft selection Isaac Kako as both made an impression in the Essendon District Football League, vying with each other for the league best and fairest awards. 'He slept with the ball. He put the ball on his side and slept with it,' his dad recalled with a big chuckle. 'When he was under-nine, he used to play footy in the house. He kicked the ball in the house and the ceiling would have the marks of the footy. He loved it. 'I watched him almost every game. When I was busy, the coach came and picked him up.' Jayden's passion for sport made his father smile as it meant he was pursuing something positive in the country he had made home from the moment he arrived with his own father in 1986. They left their hometown near Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the South of Vietnam, 'looking for freedom' as parts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam were unsettled. '[It's a] very hard life as a refugee. I came here as a refugee because the Australian government tried to help a lot of refugee people. I would like to say thanks to the Australian government for helping Vietnamese people,' Duc said. Jayden helped himself, with both Cam Joyce, who coached him in the VFL this season, and Harmit Singh, the former Bombers NGA coach who is now with Sydney's academy, full of praise for how he has applied himself to become a good footballer. Polite, hardworking and dedicated are the words they use as Jayden earned a reputation as a player who always has a smile on his face. Loading 'He's just a ripping kid,' Joyce said. Playing as a small defender, his speed and competitiveness impressed selectors as his good form coincided with an opportunity to make his AFL debut. He knows he is good enough to be given a chance, having represented Vic Metro at under 16 and under-18 level and won the Calder Cannons best and fairest in 2023 as a bottom-ager. He also played a game with Essendon's VFL last season before joining the Bombers as a category B rookie in 2025. 'I just want to be a figure that Vietnamese and Asian children can look up to and hopefully show them that their dream is possible and that they can do it,' Nguyen said. 'For me to take a step in this direction, I feel like I'm pretty proud of myself, but hopefully I can make others proud that have helped me along the journey to where I am.' When Jayden shared the news of his debut to his dad, Duc, who uses the name 'John' when working at Cosh Living in Melbourne, ran around the house screaming. 'Jayden is a sporty kid and I am very proud of him,' Duc said. 'I want to thank Essendon and all the clubs and their volunteers.' Those who have seen him emerge through hard work and dedication can't wait to watch him on the big stage.
The Age
14 hours ago
- The Age
Australian story: Young star of Vietnamese descent becomes record-breaking Bomber
Jayden soon became a football fanatic, and was talented too. When the family moved he joined Avondale Heights and eventually played senior football at Aberfeldie. He first played for Essendon in AFL NGA matches in 2019, playing alongside future first-round draft selection Isaac Kako as both made an impression in the Essendon District Football League, vying with each other for the league best and fairest awards. 'He slept with the ball. He put the ball on his side and slept with it,' his dad recalled with a big chuckle. 'When he was under-nine, he used to play footy in the house. He kicked the ball in the house and the ceiling would have the marks of the footy. He loved it. 'I watched him almost every game. When I was busy, the coach came and picked him up.' Jayden's passion for sport made his father smile as it meant he was pursuing something positive in the country he had made home from the moment he arrived with his own father in 1986. They left their hometown near Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the South of Vietnam, 'looking for freedom' as parts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam were unsettled. '[It's a] very hard life as a refugee. I came here as a refugee because the Australian government tried to help a lot of refugee people. I would like to say thanks to the Australian government for helping Vietnamese people,' Duc said. Jayden helped himself, with both Cam Joyce, who coached him in the VFL this season, and Harmit Singh, the former Bombers NGA coach who is now with Sydney's academy, full of praise for how he has applied himself to become a good footballer. Polite, hardworking and dedicated are the words they use as Jayden earned a reputation as a player who always has a smile on his face. Loading 'He's just a ripping kid,' Joyce said. Playing as a small defender, his speed and competitiveness impressed selectors as his good form coincided with an opportunity to make his AFL debut. He knows he is good enough to be given a chance, having represented Vic Metro at under 16 and under-18 level and won the Calder Cannons best and fairest in 2023 as a bottom-ager. He also played a game with Essendon's VFL last season before joining the Bombers as a category B rookie in 2025. 'I just want to be a figure that Vietnamese and Asian children can look up to and hopefully show them that their dream is possible and that they can do it,' Nguyen said. 'For me to take a step in this direction, I feel like I'm pretty proud of myself, but hopefully I can make others proud that have helped me along the journey to where I am.' When Jayden shared the news of his debut to his dad, Duc, who uses the name 'John' when working at Cosh Living in Melbourne, ran around the house screaming. 'Jayden is a sporty kid and I am very proud of him,' Duc said. 'I want to thank Essendon and all the clubs and their volunteers.' Those who have seen him emerge through hard work and dedication can't wait to watch him on the big stage.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Scott faces crunch time for FedEx Cup play-off hopes
Australia's former Masters champion Adam Scott has admitted it is "do or die" for his FedEx Cup playoff chances and hopes his last shot at qualifying will bring out his best golf. The 45-year-old currently sits 85th in the standings and needs to get into the top 70 to make the post-season run-in. To do that he has to finish no worse than in a two-way tie for third at the Wyndham Championship at the Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. "I'm really here focused on trying to win this tournament," said Scott, whose 16-year streak of making the playoffs ended in 2023. He returned last year to tie for fourth at the season-ending Tour Championship. "I actually think sometimes when it's like a last-chance thing, this will be my last chance to play on the PGA Tour potentially for some weeks, it's do or die and that's a fun way to play. "Sometimes we - or I - have fallen in the trap of like, 'there's always next week if it doesn't work out', and that's not the case here, so I think that's not a pressure but more motivation. "I feel like my game's been pretty good since May so I need to be on the front foot a little bit, I can't be sitting back waiting for it to happen." The Adelaide-born Scott has not won since 2020 and four years ago lost in a six-man play-off at the Wyndham. "I've really not had any momentum at all and it seems like I can put three rounds together but not four every week," he added. "I have full belief, especially after I've won, that I can play at the highest level on a given week. I think realistically it's harder for me to do it over a season. "I'm not saying it's impossible, but I need to get things more on my own terms to do that."
