Another long flight west, more turbulence for Essendon even before they stepped on the plane.
For the second time this season, the Bombers have to set aside a major distraction relating to the club’s anti-doping investigations and play an AFL match in Perth.
Two months ago, coach James Hird was the focus of attention before they staged a rousing comeback to beat Fremantle by four points.
This time, it’s the stunning revelation from captain Jobe Watson on Monday that has caused off-field headaches for the Bombers before their Thursday night clash with West Coast.
Watson has admitted he believes he took the anti-obesity drug AOD-9604, which the World Anti-Doping Agency has declared is a banned substance.
The reigning Brownlow Medallist also insists he has done nothing wrong.
Essendon’s remarkable win over Fremantle was one of several times this season where their players have proved their mettle in the midst of the supplements crisis.
This time they come up against a wounded Eagles lineup desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.
While the Bombers are flying in fourth place, West Coast are 10th, one game out of the top eight.
After making six changes last week, West Coast made another four for the Essendon game – three of them forced.
They lost Shannon Hurn (ankle), Scott Selwood (thumb) and Andrew Embley (suspension) and dropped Blayne Wilson.
Simon Tunbridge, a 20-year-old key position player, will make his AFL debut.
The Eagles also brought in Ashley Smith, Mark Hutchings and Brad Sheppard.
The Bombers were forced to leave out run-with midfielder Heath Hocking with a calf injury and brought in ruckman Tom Bellchambers for young gun Joe Daniher.
Earlier this week, West Coast coach John Worsfold said last Friday night’s 20-point loss to the top side had encouraged them.
“There is not a massive gap between us and Hawthorn (when we’re) playing pretty good footy,” Worsfold said.
“(It’s a gap) that we can bridge.”
West Coast have won just two of their six games in Perth this season, with one of those victories coming after the final siren when Nic Naitanui kicked the winning goal against North Melbourne.
But Essendon have not beaten the Eagles in Perth since 2001.
Amid a barrage of questions relating to Watson, Bombers coach James Hird said at Wednesday’s media conference that they had to weigh up whether to bring back Bellchambers to take on Naitanui and Dean Cox in the ruck.
Daniher is one of three emergencies for the match.
“We need to balance up whether we need two legitimate ruckmen against Naitanui and Cox, but we’ll work that out,” Hird said.
“We’ve got a pretty good idea which way we’re going to go, and we’ll look forward to another chance to go to Perth and prove ourselves against quality opposition.”
