Essendon trio Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker and Orazio Fantasia are all fighting to return to full fitness ahead of Saturday's Elimination Final against Sydney at the SCG.
Bombers General Manager of Football Rob Kerr told SEN Breakfast the club was hopeful all three players would return on this weekend, and said they are all on target given their current training programs.
“They're all on target in terms of their rehabilitation. This week is obviously a critical week in terms of lifting the training loads and the like. At this point in time we’re comfortable with where they are at,” Kerr told SEN Breakfast on Monday.
“They have been set benchmarks in terms of their rehab with a view of getting them up to play and at the moment they have met those. Come the main training session on Wednesday, we will get a better look at them in terms of their preparation and the call will be made from there.
Fantasia (hamstring) hasn't played since round 20, Hurley (calf) missed the final two weeks of the home and away season, and Hooker (leg) was a late withdrawal from their final game of the season against Fremantle last Sunday.
Given Fantasia's injury was more than a usual hamstring strain, Kerr said he has recovered well and is attacking his rehab with the intent of returning.
“It was acknowledged that it was going to be touch and go but the way he (Fantasia) has approached his rehab and the way he has responded, he lifted his running speeds on Friday and got through that ok without soreness which was a pretty good sign,” Kerr said.
“Percentage wise he is getting up around that 80 per cent mark. The doctors are keen to hold him back until the session later in the week. He has moved forward in terms of pace without incident which is obviously pretty important.
“At the moment you will have to say he is a good chance.”
