Essendon ruckman Sam Draper is close to rejoining full training, while youngsters Zach Reid and Elijah Tsatas impressed, as the Bombers take aim at a season where they hope to break a two decades-long drought and win a final.
The Bombers trained strongly in warm conditions at their home base at the Hangar on Tuesday, although Draper and midfielder-forward Jake Stringer did not take part in match simulation.
Draper has lifted his training loads after dealing with a groin injury. He participated in several drills and ran strongly on Tuesday, while Stringer, who has had foot issues, was busy in other drills and is in a good shape heading into a contract season.
Vice captain Andrew McGrath said Draper was “super important” to the Bombers’ plans.
“He has been running around, he is joining in a couple of drills, and it’s only a matter if time before he is back in the full program. We are super excited by that. To have two other rucks flying as well, and healthy too, is a really big positive for our playing group.”
