The news of the positive test for Conor McKenna reverberated throughout the AFL community on Saturday.
It particularly scared Essendon supporters, already wary of the impacts of widespread suspensions as a result of the disastrous supplements scandal in 2012.
Thankfully, at this stage it appears Conor is as healthy as can be expected, and he has a low viral load. However, Essendon are facing the prospect of being without seven other players listed here:
1. Adam Saad.
2. Michael Hurley.
3. Cale Hooker.
4. Matt Guelfi.
5. Mason Redman.
6. Jordan Ridley.
This article is about how the Bombers should respond, not about the poor decisions and structuring of the training groups for the Bombers in this pandemic world.
So who do the Bombers bring in to replace these players? Each of them are starters in the Essendon line up for Round 3 (before it was cancelled).
Thankfully, if there’s one part of the ground where the Bombers have depth, it’s the back line. They’re going up against a tall forward line with Carlton in Round 4.
As a result they can potentially afford to be slightly taller in the back line with Paddy Ambrose, Aaron Francis, and Braden Zerk Thatcher each coming in for the tall posts.
On the flanks they can afford to be a little creative, the highly rated Brayden Ham and the injury prone Martin Gleeson, who’s speed and composure out of the backline has been important to the Bombers.
That leaves one more spot for the bombers, they can move David Zaharakis back from his forward posting as they’ve been want to do in the past, or even move Andy McGrath back into the back line.
But I favour someone who’s going to bring the pressure, the Bombers should move Anthony McDonald Tippungwuti back into the back line like he was in 2016, this will bring a harder edge to their back line, and spread out the burden positionally speaking.
Finally, what do Essendon do if (god forbid) any of these aforementioned players go down with an injury? They’ll have to swing the magnets around in such a way as to lessen the burden.
They still have Jayden Laverde (who was drafted as a utility), Cian McBride, Ross McQuillan, Ned Cahill and more waiting in the wings, ready to come in at the drop of the hat.
Yes, the unfortunate circumstances surrounding McKenna has increased the likelihood they’ll lose games this year, but player safety is paramount in these uncertain times, I for one believe the Bombers can find creative work around a for the foreseeable future.
mdso
Roar Rookie
Connor McKenna, since returning from Ireland has had about probably by now about ten tests. One test last week was irregular and then gave a positive reading. The next test was negative and he has been tested again since and has not had a positive reading again. TPTB think he may have had the virus when in Ireland and by the time he arrived back in Australia was over it. But really who knows. This virus has proved to be different in so many ways to other viruses known to the world's best scientists. So Connor and James Stewart and now in isolation and they will continue to be monitored and tested. None of the other Essendon players have tested positive period.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
No, because they didn’t come into “close contact”. But James Stewart was Conor’s partner in a wrestling drill so naturally he has to isolate.
William Currie
Guest
Shouldn’t those bomber players who have been quaritened now be allowed to take part in the Carlton game as they have been cleared of any viruses and come back negative
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
But they won't do that...unless they are Essendon players (it seems).
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
This is a very very very infectious disease. You’re more likely to get it walking around shopping for groceries.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
They double dodged a bullet with McKenna reportedly getting a false positive. Shaun mckernan generally plays key forward, I believe they’ve been training Stewart as a back
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What is the reason "more players will test positive"? If they follow guidelines, how will that happen?
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah I think that and the removal of full contact sessions are really gonna mess with the boys
Jakarta Fan
Roar Rookie
If Hooker, Hurley, Ridley, Redman and Saad were ruled out along with McKenna, Essendon would still have a reasonably good backline: AMBROSE – FRANCIS – GLEESON. ZAHARAKIS – ZERK-THATCHER – MCGRATH. Obviously not as good as the main group but still very serviceable at AFL level. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be tested, yet, as the outcome of just losing 2 players, McKenna and Stewart, keeps Essendon basically in a good space. The next question will how the roller coaster emotions of Saturday to Tuesday will impact on the playing group? It’s been quite a ride on the Big Dipper!
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
The thing is you can’t attribute that solely to essendon. The spread through Victoria is massive at the moment, and more players will test positive but it can’t be attributed to any one factor
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yeah McKenna himself has to isolate, but unless you are exposed in close contact (closer than 1.5 metres) for longer than 15 minutes or within the same room for two hours.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I don't like this at all. If any player tests positive after playing Essendon there will be hell to pay. Seems like the safety of the comp is being jeopardised because otherwise Essendon will throw a tantrum
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Understand that Chuck but didn’t McKenna test positive up till late last week? Isn’t there a 2 week period? As I said I am glad we are playing your best players but believe me if any Carlton players end up with this because they got it from an Essendon player I will be furious.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
The rules on stuff like close contact means that essendon has a fair bit of wiggle room particularly if all the PCR tests come back negative from yesterday
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Would prefer to be playing a full Essendon team but don’t understand how only 1 other person has been forced into quarantine. I don’t know the exact COVID rules in Victoria but aren’t you forced into quarantine if you have been in a group where a person has tested positive? Aren’t they shutting schools down I there is a person there who has tested positive? I live in Brisbane so don’t know the Victorian rules but Qld Govt are now thinking they shouldn’t let Richmond In to play the Lions because of the increase in Victoria.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
My desperate hope is that no other Essendon players will be infected and be part of a cluster with McKenna. We are fortunate with the strength of our back line but too many replacements would make it difficult to gel.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I think this is a big risk. Any in contact player has got it and isn’t in isolation, the AFL is toast for the season.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Looks like the Bombers have dodged a bullet only McKenna and Stewart in quarantine. Who plays key forward?
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Thankfully the news out of Fox footy is just that James Stewart and Conor McKenna are the only players going into quarantine