Breaking News: 22-year-old Essendon player has been hit by another injury setback.

SCANS have revealed a hamstring strain for Essendon defender Zach Reid, and the club is currently assessing the length of his absence.

This is a setback for both the Bombers and the young defender, who has faced a series of injuries in his AFL career. Reid was substituted out of Essendon’s win over Hawthorn on Saturday at half-time after experiencing hamstring discomfort, with the strain confirmed on Monday.

The 22-year-old was in his fourth season at the Bombers and had played just his ninth game after being selected in the top 10 of the 2020 draft. He underwent hamstring surgery last year after a series of problems, including a back stress fracture in his first year at the club.

Ahead of the 2023 campaign, he suffered another setback with a back stress fracture and then faced multiple hamstring problems while playing in the VFL. Despite these challenges, the Bombers see Reid as a key part of their future, along with defensive recruit Ben McKay.