Essendon Coach Brad Scott has confirmed that midfielder Archie Perkins will be out of action for “at least a couple of weeks” due to a hamstring strain suffered during last weekend’s game against Port Adelaide.
Meanwhile, best-and-fairest winner Jordan Ridley has also sustained a quad injury, prolonging his time on the sidelines. Scott emphasized the importance of ensuring Ridley’s full recovery before his return to play.
Regarding Perkins’ injury, Scott stated, “It’s definitely a confirmed strained hamstring,” adding that the rehabilitation process will take some time.
While Scott refrained from specifying an exact timeline for Ridley’s return, he indicated that it would likely be “a few weeks, if not a bit more.” However, Scott emphasized the need for Ridley to return fully fit to minimize the risk of reinjury.
On a positive note, the Bombers are expected to regain Sam Durham pending his concussion testing clearance. Durham had been sidelined due to a concussion sustained from a heavy hit in a previous game. Additionally, veteran Dylan Shiel is nearing a return through the VFL after recovering from an oblique injury.
Matt Guelfi (calf), Zach Reid (hamstring), and Peter Wright (suspension) are among the other Essendon players currently unavailable for selection.
