Essendon coach James Hird says the spate of injuries crippling his AFL side is short-term pain for long-term gain.
The Bombers coach is taking a long-term view, while Port Adelaide counterpart Matthew Primus says his club’s injuries saved some players from the selection axe.
Port host Essendon on Saturday with both clubs depleted by injury.
Hird’s outfit lost ruckman Patrick Ryder (calf) and Michael Hurley (hamstring) for the clash, adding to an injury list also featuring club champion David Zaharakis (thigh) and Angus Monfries (hamstring).
“Certainly we’re not happy with the injuries we’re getting,” Hird told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.
“Part of it is a new program and teaching guys how to get fitter and stronger.
“We are still confident that we need to get physically better to compete with the best sides, and with that comes consequences and risk.
“We think we’ve got an excellent physical preparation program that is having some problems at the moment, but we think it will do the right thing over a long time.”
Port lost another two players to injury with Jacob Surjan (buttock muscle) and John Butcher (hip) sidelined for Saturday’s AAMI Stadium encounter against the sixth-placed Bombers.
Power coach Primus said his club’s extensive injury list meant several players were fortunate to remain in the side.
“We don’t have a heap to choose from at the moment with the injury toll we have got, so we couldn’t make too many changes,” Primus told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.
“There were a couple (of changes) forced with injuries and we have made one change due to a bit of form.
“So there are some lucky guys.”
But Primus believed his 15th-placed side capable of defeating the Bombers.
“Obviously, they (Essendon) are going pretty good but we think we can beat them here at home, no doubt about it,” Primus said.
“And we have certainly planned towards playing a brand of footy that is going to beat them – not worrying about trying to shut them down.
“Essendon certainly are pretty good at the contest but they love just moving the ball super quick.
“So how quickly we can be really good at the contest, and how quickly we can get the ball back off them, they are the two things I really want to see our guys have a crack at.”