Essendon has moved winger Brayden Fiorini to the long term injury list, ruling him out of the rest of the season.
It follows persistent back soreness which will require surgery.
The decision has opened up a vacancy at the club ahead of next week's Mid-Season Draft.
“It's obviously disappointing for Brayden, who has quickly become an important part of our on and off-field leadership at the Club,” General Manager of AFL Daniel McPherson said.
“Ultimately, we want to give him the best opportunity to recover and contribute for us in the long-term, especially given the delicacy around having surgery on his back. This takes time and we don't want to rush him back at the expense of the long-term."
The Bombers have done work on several players including teenagers Ollie Griffin and Nick Staropoli with about six names understood to be in their mix.
Staropoli is set to play his second game for the Bombers VFL side this weekend, giving list manager Matt Rosa and his crew a close-up look at how he handles the step up to senior footy.
A product of the Calder Cannons, the athletic intercepting defender has a cricketing background and only arrived at the Cannons midway through last year, with this year his first footy pre-season.
The Bombers currently hold Pick 2 in next week's intake, and the final order will be determined on Friday when they face Richmond at the MCG.
Fiorini played the opening two games of the season against Hawthorn and Port Adelaide.
