He has set another target on-field, too, with the midfielder hopeful of playing in at least one of the Bombers' Marsh Community Series clashes ahead of round one. I've had a great few weeks of progression over the break and I'll be outside as of tomorrow building up my preparation into round one," he said. He said that the Dons had been seeking to move the ball the way they did against Hawthorn but had struggled to execute it earlier in the season. Nat Edwards with all the latest Grand Final news, Damian Barrett and Callum Twomey with all the latest Grand Final and trade news, Cats fans get THAT finals feeling as Gary Ablett kicks one of his iconic running…, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been recognised for his superb season, Brad Ebert has already agreed to pass on his jumper number for next season, Check out the eight-part series exploring the flag journeys of the AFL champions from…, Access All Areas discusses how Geelong will match up on Dustin Martin, and why…, Patrick Dangerfield has no concerns with the health of star teammate, This content is unavailable in your region. Picture: AFL Photos, long list of Bombers' pre-season injury setbacks. "There was certainly some stuff that we structurally changed a little bit, with the way we set the team up, but the way we want to move the ball is what the boys have been training and been coached on all summer, all season so far," Worsfold said. I'm still tacking along with my rehab at the moment so probably wouldn't get up for it anyway, but it's an amazing initiative and I reckon all the best players from every team in the competition will get around it," he said. "We're starting to see a bit of vision coming in from the club so keeping up to scratch with the game plan and talking about that with each other," Heppell said. ... Pies cut luckless duo who are keen to play on elsewhere. He was joined in the rehabilitation group by David Zaharakis and Zach Merrett, while Mason Redman, James Stewart, Jayden Laverde, Irving Mosquito, Will Snelling, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Noah Gown and Lachie Johnson were all away from the main group as well. We'll play it by ear on how it's tracking, but it would be nice to get at least one hitout in before the start of the season and see how we go. The Bombers then head to Colac on March 9 to face Geelong. "If he fits into the criteria of being available, then he'll play. But if there's any concerns about him backing up off five days, if it's going to have any impact on his long-term footy, then we won't play him. "It's tracking really well. It's exciting us for us to have those options we didn't have even a couple of weeks ago.". Essendon's first Marsh Community Series clash, against West Coast at Lathlain Park, has been pushed forward to be played on Thursday, February 27 to accommodate for the bushfire relief game on Friday, February 28. "There's no pressure to lead from the front on the training track, you let the younger boys really develop their leadership and take control. pic.twitter.com/tmZDPL9b5m. The Gatha are the proud footballing home of Jarryd Roughead and Dyson Heppell, and Zach’s ties to the club go beyond him playing under-age … Still adjusting to the new game plan rolled out in their narrow round one win over Fremantle, the Bombers are continuing to learn during the shutdown. ", Doubt over Daniher but Heppell in the mix for return. Catchup on all the latest action from the, Dyson Heppell at Bombers training in March. It’s been a year of injuries for the Bombers, but the return of Daniher, as well as captain Dyson Heppell and Jake Stringer from long lay-offs, has been a late-season boost. Picture: Getty Images, Orazio Fantasia trains with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti at The Hangar on Friday. "Pre-season games we'll just map that out. Speaking in March, Heppell had originally planned to play inside the first month of the season after having screws removed from his foot due to ongoing pain in February. ESSENDON skipper Dyson Heppell isn't expected to be back in full training until at least July as the recovery from his latest round of foot surgery takes longer than planned. As the Bombers await a return to play date like the rest of the competition, doubt remains over Heppell's ability to be fit for round two should it come before August. WATCH Decade of dramatic draws that thrilled us all. I think I'm well down the pecking order in that, though. You can access more content with Watch AFL. Heppell said he would put his hand up for selection for the Victorian line-up against the Al Stars but was unlikely to be fit by then anyway. Hit the link in my bio to donate. Heppell's fundraising effort overshadowed all, however, and he said the bushfires had been especially devastating given his links to the Gippsland region in Victoria. Heppell's timeline should be … But Worsfold said Essendon would be responsible when it came to deciding whether Daniher should play again off just a five-day break, albeit with 2020's shorter quarters. "We're looking at every player across the board, but Joe in particular and Cale Hooker, first hit-outs back off extended breaks, we'll have to really assess how they pulled up and make a call on that this afternoon.". DYSON Heppell will head into the 2020 season with a new look and also confidence he is edging closer to a return to full fitness after his foot injury. As the Bombers await a return to play date like the rest of the competition, doubt remains over Heppell's ability to be fit for round two should it come before August. Joe Daniher's stunning comeback has reignited debate over his future in the AFL. "We've still had access to one of our physios a couple of times a week and put in a really good program to get my foot in cherry ripe nick. Heppell's two rounds of foot surgery were part of a long list of Bombers' pre-season injury setbacks that included Orazio Fantasia, Michael Hurley, Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers. "Hopefully (I'll) start to build into some running loads over the next couple of weeks, then it'd be a good 6-8 week build-up and hopefully by then we'll be back into some games and see if I can fire up for round two. Cale Hooker (hip) and Joe Daniher (groin) were unsighted during the session as both recover from surgeries. Heppell hasn't played since round two because of an ankle injury but Worsfold said the skipper was in the mix to play, depending on how he pulled up from training on Sunday. "In terms of his workload going forward, it's hard to plan that. BOMBERS' SHUTDOWN REPORT CARD Weapons, downfall, more. "He's pulled up really well," Worsfold said. However, on the eve of what would have been round five, the Bombers captain revealed he had still not resumed running. Dyson Heppell shaved his famed dreadlocks off for charity. The Bombers are hoping Joe Daniher will be available whenever round two comes. "The foot's actually coming along quite well," Heppell told the Bombers' website on Friday. Picture: Getty Images, All Stars coach 'thrilled to play a part' to help bushfire victims. Picture: Getty Images DYSON Heppell will head into the 2020 season with a new look and also confidence he is edging closer to a return to full fitness after his foot injury.