Essendon will likely take a makeshift ruck division into the big AFL round-three clash with Carlton after Paddy Ryder was subbed out of the narrow loss to Hawthorn with an ankle injury.
Ryder’s withdrawal had the unexpected side-effect of bringing Jake Carlisle and Joe Daniher into the contest after the pair had been largely ineffectual in the key forward posts against undersized duo Josh Gibson and Kyle Cheney.
With Tom Bellchambers still recovering from ankle surgery, Carlisle and Daniher could again be called on to tackle giant Carlton ruckman Robbie Warnock on April 6.
The only other ruckman on Essendon’s list is untried rookie Fraser Thurlow.
“The Ryder injury didn’t affect us as I much as I’d thought,” Essendon coach Mark Thompson said after the Bombers conceded two late goals to Luke Breust and Cyril Rioli, allowing the Hawks to escape with a four-point win at Etihad Stadium.
“You panic that he’s out and it actually brought Carlisle and Joey Daniher into the game, just moving around in the midfield.
“He’s probably in doubt for next week so I’m not sure what we’re going to do in the ruck.”
The Blues have ruck problems of their own, with Matthew Kreuzer pulling out of Thursday’s loss to Richmond with a foot complaint.
Hawthorn also suffered another big injury setback in the 13.12 (90) to 12.14 (86) win over Essendon, with skipper Luke Hodge departing the contest in the third quarter after straining his groin.
With former captain Sam Mitchell (calf) a late withdrawal and Brad Sewell also unavailable, the Hawthorn midfield had an inexperienced look about it.
The unbeaten Hawks play Fremantle on Friday night in the grand final rematch.
“We found a way late without Hodge and that’s the way you’ve got to do it.” said Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson.
“You get guys injured all the time.
“We’ll get it assessed over the weekend.
“The fact that he was subbed out doesn’t look great for next week but we’ll just wait and see.
“Sometimes groins can be fiddly little things but you can get yourself up to play.”
Clarkson praised the efforts of premiership stars such Shaun Burgoyne, Rioli and Gibson, who stood up in the last term after Essendon had gone on a seven-goal run that looked likely to break the contest wide open.