Bombers forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will miss a second-straight game this weekend as Essendon near a return to the September action.
Ben Rutten's side have stunned the league in 2021, with a win against Collingwood on Sunday set to ensure their finals placing as they look to snap their winless post-season run.
The Bombers will be without McDonald-Tipungwuti for their Round 23 clash against the Magpies at Marvel Stadium, with the crafty forward revealed to be sidelined due to personal reasons.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Rutten revealed the 28-year-old hasn't returned to the Bombers' senior side due to his mental wellbeing, with the Bombers coach unable to confirm whether McDonald-Tipungwuti would return this season.
“He is not injured, no,” Rutten said, per The Age.
"We are just managing that as we see fit and how that comes to hand. We don’t have a timeline on it.
“It’s about Anthony’s wellbeing as a person, that comes first and foremost.
“Anthony won’t play in the AFL team this week and we will just continue to manage him, putting him at the forefront of our decision-making."
McDonald-Tipungwuti played every match for the Bombers in 2021 until his absence from Rutten's side in Round 22, booting 34 goals from his 20 appearances for the season.
Forward
Disposals
Marks
Goals
Rutten continued to express his support for the forward, stating the club is behind him every step of the way.
“It’s more so personal reasons, really,” he said.
“There’s a few things behind the scenes that need to happen to have him being at his best. We are just helping him manage that the best he can, giving him all the support we can. It’s just one of those things that happens for everybody from time to time.”
Essendon will confirm their final 22-man team at 5pm on Friday, with James Stewart, Alex Waterman, Archie Perkins, Andrew McGrath, Martin Gleeson, Brayden Ham, Nik Cox and Andrew Phillips named on the extended bench.
