Essendon’s Xavier Duursma, who joined the club from Port Adelaide, suffered a quad tear during Thursday’s training session, adding him to the club’s injury list. This setback is expected to keep him off the field for at least four weeks, as confirmed by coach Brad Scott. The 23-year-old has been a valuable asset to the team, participating in all eight games of the 2024 season so far. Unfortunately, his absence will be felt as he misses upcoming matches against GWS, North Melbourne, Richmond, and Gold Coast.
Duursma’s injury compounds Essendon’s woes, as they are also facing the potential absence of ruckman Sam Draper due to knee soreness. Draper missed last week’s game against West Coast and is now seeking further medical advice after experiencing discomfort during training. The club is awaiting specialist advice to determine the next steps for his recovery.
Despite these setbacks, Essendon currently holds fifth place in the standings with four wins, two losses, and a draw against Collingwood on Anzac Day.
