Fantasia in the frame for Dogs clash
Essendon say they will wait until after the club’s main training session on Thursday before making definitive calls on the availability of Orazio Fantasia, Ben McNiece and David Myers for Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
Neither prolific goal sneak Fantasia, injury-plagued midfielder Myers, nor small defender McNiece have appeared in the opening two rounds, with Fantasia’s start to the season delayed by minor knee surgery, Myers sidelined with a calf complaint, and McNiece hindered by a hamstring ailment.
All three are in the frame to return this weekend, but the Dons are yet to confirm whether any of the trio will play. Bombers high performance chief Justin Crow said on the club’s website that Fantasia was closing in on a return.
Orazio Fantasia is a chance to play this weekend.
Photo: AAP“Orazio had a big match simulation on the weekend, he trained well there,” Crow said.
“He’ll train again on Thursday with the rest of the group. We’ll wait and see how he goes in that session before making a final decision on whether he plays or not.”
The Dons are more likely to be conservative with West Australian Myers given his extensive injury history.
“Dave Myers took a little longer to get going [and[ has got some work in over the weekend. We’ll get him through that main training session and make a decision,” Crow said.
Small defender McNiece is making solid progress.
“[Ben] is in the same boat as Orazio in that he’s done a good session on the weekend,” Crow said.
“We’ll look to see how he goes in that main training session.”
Small defender Adam Saad had an injury scare after rolling his ankle in Saturday night’s loss to Fremantle in Perth, but he is available to take on the Dogs.
Meanwhile injury-prone forward Jayden Laverde got through half of the Dons’ VFL practice match against Footscray on Saturday and had been cleared to play a full game this weekend.
Youngster Kobe Mutch will return from knee surgery in the VFL against Frankston this weekend, while backman Patrick Ambrose is progressing well from a broken wrist.
The loss to the Dockers left the Dons at 1-1. Sunday's game looms as Jake Stringer's first appearance against his former club.