Essendon coach John Worsfold isn’t counting on Melbourne’s ruck crisis to be a major positive for the Bombers when they clash in the AFL on Sunday.
The Demons will be without injured pair Max Gawn and Jake Spencer as the club deals with a ruck dilemma similar to the one Essendon encountered at the start of the season.
Matthew Leuenberger (hamstring) and Tom Bellchambers (knee) were sidelined for the opening two rounds and – much like his side did – Worsfold expects the Demons to make do with what they have.
“We won our two games when we didn’t (have a recognised ruckman), so we certainly aren’t thinking that makes it unwinnable for Melbourne,” Worsfold told reporters on Thursday.
“It probably makes our planning a little bit more difficult in terms of how they’re going to set up … (but) we’ll work out what they’re doing on game day.
“I don’t think it will have a big impact on our preparation.
“You don’t like to get injuries to any player or have any of your best players unavailable but it happens in this game.
“I think on one hand (Simon Goodwin) would rather have them all available but he’ll also see it as a challenge to adapt and get the team up.”
Essendon will attack the game with renewed belief after their impressive return to form on Anzac Day.
The Bombers bounced back after a lean fortnight with an 18-point win over Collingwood and will look to carry that form into the Etihad Stadium encounter.
“Coming off two losses just a little bit of doubt comes in but that (win) restores that belief,” Worsfold said.
“We know we’re on a bit of a rocky path but we’ve got a strong focus on where we want to get to.
“We’ll have some ups and downs along the way but it was good to be able to put it all together.”
Essendon face a rare five-day turnaround but Worsfold reported all 22 players had pulled up after the win over the Pies.