Could Essendon unearth SSP selection Tom Edwards in Round 2 against Adelaide?
Bombers coach Brad Scott is currently contemplating how to replace the injured Kyle Langford, who is set to miss up to six weeks with a hamstring strain as well as the concussed Jordan Ridley.
On Wednesday, Scott admitted that it is nearly impossible to replace both voids at either end of the ground, but must do so by Saturday's contest against the Crows.
"Ridley and Langford are not really replaceable players, certainly like for like for us," Scott said.
"But like every team in the competition, we've got a squad mentality and we've got players ready to come in.
"We've got players in good form in the VFL."
Edwards - who was signed as a pre-season pick-up following a summer spent at the Hangar - immediately comes into selection consideration for the front-half void.
Key forward Peter Wright (ankle) and left-field option Jayden Laverde (hip) are not up for consideration.
Scott could weigh up using Harrison Jones as a key option in the front half, alongside Nate Caddy and the resting ruckman Sam Draper and/or Nick Bryan.
In the club's VFL hit-out last week, Edwards' lead-up play was a standout and could've found himself with at least four goals to his name thanks to the opportunities he created from his aerial strength, but finished with two.
The Swan Districts forward was also lively throughout the pre-season, slotting multiple bags of four whilst getting minutes in the clash against Geelong.
Saad El-Hawli could come into the frame across halfback to fill the Ridley void after an impressive VFL outing.
Scott also lauded the AFL for its progression in the concussion space, after dealing with the ramifications of the intercept defender's head knock.
The Bombers coach declared that Ridley "feels great and normal", and if it were in decades gone past, he would've played this week.
"I think this is a really good example of why we have concussion protocols," Scott said.
"Because prior to the AFL instituting the concussion protocols, it would be a really hard decision not to play Jordan this week because there doesn't appear to be any symptoms.
"He's passed all the tests.
"So prior to the protocols, it would be really hard for us to rule him out on medical grounds, but for the health and safety of players it's a good thing that he can't play and the decision's taken out of our hands.
"As much as we'd love to have Jordan, we knew from half-time (last) Friday night that he wouldn't be playing this week."
Essendon will look to get their first win of the 2025 campaign on Saturday against the Crows at the MCG.
