Essendon are said to be weighing up whether to name or axe key forward Petter Wright at selection this week following the tall Bomber's drop in form.
Wright has struggled to have the same impact as years gone by in the red sash, with the 203cm attacker having his fourth goalless game in nine matches over the weekend against Melbourne.
The former Sun was kept to just eight disposals - an equal season low - against the Demons as Brad Scott's side struggled to compete in trying conditions.
Scott has moved his ruck and forward magnets extensively over the past few months, looking to find the right balance that can cater for the best mix of Wright, Kyle Langford, Nate Caddy, Harry Jones and ruck pair Sam Draper and Todd Goldstein.
Goldstein hasn't played the past two matches after being managed, with Caddy returning a fortnight ago in his place before showing enough to hold his spot in the senior side.
Langford, while having his own form woes at times this year, leads Essendon's goalkicking with 35 majors from 17 matches to near his career-high haul of 51 goals last year.
Wright, who had his own 50-goal campaign in 2022 when he won the club's best and fairest award, could be the man to make way at selection for Friday night when the Bombers host Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.
According toย The Age,ย an Essendon source has stated Wright is a live chance to be dropped for Round 19 as the Bombers look to bounce back from their disappointing Demons defeat.
Wright was used as a supporting ruckman to Draper on Saturday night, with Scott often utilising two full-time ruck options instead. An omission of Wright could see Draper come back into the senior side after two weeks off the field.
The publication's report also suggests former first-round pick Ben Hobbs is a strong chance to come back into Scott's squad following his dominant display at VFL level over the weekend.
The Horsham product collected 30 disposals and had 11 tackles in Essendon's loss to Casey, which added to a strong run of form after returning from injury. Hobbs last played at AFl level in Round 10, with Essendon losing just one of his past eight appearances in 2024.
The Bombers will need to weigh up the return of key defender Jayden Laverde after he was managed ahead of the Melbourne game, with Adelaide striking a fierce tall forward fleet thanks to the recent return of Riley Thilthrope, who booted two goals in his return from injury after coming into the game as the sub against St Kilda over the weekend.
Essendon will name their Round 19 squad on Thursday at 6:20pm (AEST).
