Injured Bomber Zaharakis making solid progress

Forgotten Essendon veteran David Zaharakis is building up his running in rehab a month out from the Bombers pre-season practice match against Geelong, as he recovers from off-season posterior cruciate ligament surgery.

It remains unclear when the 30-year-old will be back on the track for the Bombers, having recovered from the quad injury that finished his season in August. However, a club source confirmed he was making solid progress.

The Bombers will not rush Zaharakis back as he looks to find a role to extend his career beyond the end of this season.

David Zaharakis. Credit:Getty Images

Meanwhile, key position player Michael Hurley is on the mend from an infected leg that saw him visit hospital during the week. Yet the Bombers are uncertain when he will return as he looks to adapt to a forward role this season.

Hurley and Zaharakis were among several key Bombers who did not train with the club on Saturday, with Jake Stringer absent after having scans on Thursday to assess a troublesome Achilles that forced him from the track midweek.

Stringer had only just returned to training with the main group before the issue flared again.

Ruckman Sam Draper – who trained on Thursday – and defenders Patrick Ambrose and Aaron Francis were also noticeable absentees from the light session.

On a positive note, skipper Dyson Heppell is training well following an ankle injury that ruined 2020 while Jordan Ridley has overcome a minor calf strain and is back in full training.

Veteran swingman Cale Hooker has also lost six kilograms in an injury free pre-season with the 32-year-old preparing to play in defence during 2021, supporting a young backline that includes reigning best and fairest winner Ridley.

Essendon’s official pre-season opponent Geelong welcomed Patrick Dangerfield on to the track this week as he continues his slow build-up to ensure he is over the groin injury that hampered him at times last season.

The Cats are in good shape with small forward Luke Dahlhaus (groin) and ruckman Darcy Fort (knee) the main concerns. Star recruit Jeremy Cameron is also expected to find his feet slowly after hamstring concerns.

The Giants suffered a blow too with All-Australian defender Lachie Whitfield being monitored after he suffered a bruised liver at training on Friday. The 26-year-old did not need to go to hospital but the Giants medical staff are monitoring his progress. Giants doctor Bassam Moses said Whitfield was recovering.

“He hasn’t required hospitalisation but it’s hard to put a timeframe on his recovery at this stage,” Moses said.

“He’ll continue to be monitored closely as the bruising subsides and will be a week-by-week proposition.”

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