Essendon have confirmed they will be without Jayden Laverde for 5-6 weeks after the defender underwent surgery for a AC joint injury.
Laverde suffered the injury in Essendon's Anzac Day loss to Collingwood and was subbed off in the third term.
The club confirmed on Friday that the 27-year-old had undergone surgery and was expected to return prior to the mid-season bye.
โJayden sustained an AC joint injury against Collingwood and was subsequently subbed out of the game,โ General Manager of Performance Daniel McPherson said.
โHe's undergone surgery to repair the joint and we're looking at a five-to-six-week timeframe for him to return to playing.โ
Laverde has played all six games for the Bombers so far this season, averaging 15.2 disposals as a key pillar of Essendon's defence.
The Bombers now head into Round 7 without Laverde with a 4-2 record and eager to prove themselves against the reigning premiers, with senior coach Brad Scott conceding some magnets will need to be moved.
"He's our heart and soul in defence," Scott said on Friday.
"While we've had to flip our team around, midfield and forward, our defence has actually been pretty solid and pretty stable. That will require another change.
"He's needed surgical intervention on that shoulder and he's going to be out for quite a few weeks so we're going to need to adjust again.
"We see this as an opportunity for another player to come in and perform and try and stake their claim for a spot in our side."
