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Essendon will get a taste of life after Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas when they tackle West Coast in Friday night’s NAB Cup clash at Subiaco Oval.
Lloyd and Lucas, who combined for 1397 goals over their stellar careers, retired at the end of last season, leaving a massive void in Essendon’s forward line.
Bombers midfielder Heath Hocking said while their absence would be keenly felt, he believed former Hawk Mark Williams would thrive as one of the focal points up forward as the club explores their options for the best attacking set-up.
“We’re exciting and we run the ball pretty quick and he’s an experienced forward so he’ll gel and mould to the way we play and I think he’ll relish from it,” Hocking said.
“He (Lloyd) was a big focal point for us going forward but adding Mark Williams and his experience will hopefully make the impact a lot less noticeable.
“We’ve got a few up and coming young blokes, (Scott) Gumbleton and (Jay) Neagle coming through, so hopefully they can fill his shoes.
“It’s just a really exciting time for the club and the forward line (but) … it will be different from last year losing the two big fellas.”
Hocking denied the suspension handed down to young defender Michael Hurley had been a distraction heading into the match.
Hurley, who is facing assault charges after a September 25 late-night altercation with a taxi driver in Richmond, was rubbed out of Essendon’s entire pre-season campaign.
“Michael Hurley’s obviously disappointed with the outcome of it all but the club’s moved through the issue pretty well and the players are behind it and we are just looking forward to the game tomorrow night against West Coast,” Hocking said.
In a statement, Essendon said the suspension would be part of a “broader response that would be announced soon” by the club.
“Michael made a serious mistake and he is extremely remorseful for his actions,” Essendon chief executive Ian Robson said.
“He accepts that the club has imposed this sanction and will take further action, and he will continue to fully co-operate with police and the courts.”
Robson added that Essendon’s penalty “does not speak to Michael Hurley’s guilt or innocence on the assault charges”.
Hurley is due to appear in court on March 5.
The Eagles have named a near full-strength line-up for the match against Essendon, with only ruckman Dean Cox and Mitch Brown the major absentees as they recover from injury.
“Looking at their team probably 20 of 22 of their best are in,” Hocking said.
“We are just going to come out and play hard early … playing to win.”
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