Essendon forward Joe Daniher has been forced to delay his long-awaited return to the AFL after suffering yet another injury setback.
The 25-year-old sustained a calf strain during training earlier this week and could miss up to six weeks in the casualty ward.
The injury blow comes after he missed most of last year with osteitis pubis, the condition that curtailed his season to just seven matches. Before the stress injury left the key forward with limited mobility, he was set for a big year having kicked 65 goals in 2017.
Essendon's general manager of football Dan Richardson said it was disappointing to completely rule out Daniher of the early season matches, considering that he was expected to ease back in on modified minutes.
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“Joe was progressing strongly in his recovery from an unrelated injury, so this soft-tissue setback is clearly disappointing for both him and the club,” Richardson said in a club statement.
“However, Joe remains positive and is committed towards his rehabilitation program as he works towards a return to the senior side early in the upcoming home-and-away season.
“While disappointing, this injury provides an opportunity for another forward to step up in Joe’s absence and as a team, we remain focused on our preparation for next week’s season opener against Greater Western Sydney.”
Essendon will play GWS, St Kilda, Melbourne and Brisbane Lions in the opening month of the season, with the 2017 All-Australian expected to make his return against Collingwood on ANZAC Day in Round 6.
With Cale Hooker also set to miss the first four-to-six weeks, an opportunity could arise for 28-year-old Shaun McKernan who played a total of ten matches last year.
The Bombers will kick off their 2019 campaign against the Giants on Sunday, March 24 at Spotless Stadium.
