Does Essendon have space in the midfield for Dylan Shiel, Archie Perkins, and Will Setterfield?
Essendon’s coach Brad Scott views the competition for midfield spots as a positive challenge as the club prepares to welcome back the trio from injury in the coming weeks.
Shiel is set to return first, with just a final week of training left before he’s eligible for senior selection. While he showed promising signs in the VFL over the weekend, Scott emphasized the importance of ensuring Shiel’s readiness before rushing him back.
“We’d love to have him back in our side, but it’s crucial that he returns at 100 percent,” Scott remarked on Tuesday. “He’ll complete full training today, and we’ll make a decision, but medically, he’s good to go.”
Perkins and Setterfield, also midfielders, are progressing in their recovery but will need additional time before making their comeback.
“The question arises when they’re all available, what the midfield setup looks like. That’s a good problem to have,” Scott noted.
“Perkins’ recovery is going well, considering the severity of his hamstring strain. It’s essential to integrate him into full training before making a decision.”
Scott assured that older players won’t be sidelined to accommodate returning players, emphasizing selection based on form and opposition analysis.
“I expect players to strive for peak performance,” Scott said. “Dylan is a consummate professional and a talented athlete, and when he’s at his best, he adds immense value to our team.”
Despite challenges, Essendon’s midfield has performed admirably in 2024, benefiting from the partnership of Goldstein and Draper and the emergence of Durham and Perkins. However, the return of injured players could create selection dilemmas and require adjustments to maintain cohesion across all lines.