ESSENDON speedster Leroy Jetta will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair an injured thumb.
The 21-year-old dislocated the thumb in a practice match against Richmond's second-18 side at Craigieburn on Friday.
Bombers football operations manager Paul Hamilton said Jetta would be sidelined for up to six weeks.
"It is disappointing for Leroy because he has had his best ever pre-season and unfortunately it is going to keep him out for a number of weeks," Hamilton told the club's official website.
"He will be able to keep his fitness up, which you can’t do with a leg injury, so we are lucky from that perspective. Obviously there is a period following the operation where you can’t do much because you can’t allow for the extra bleeding and things but, once it has settled down, he can join in and run around and build it up from there."
"It is most disappointing from the perspective that he is a player that knows this is an important year for him and he wanted to get off to a good start and unfortunately it hasn’t happened for him."
Meanwhile, youngster Travis Colyer is expected to resume full training in a week's time after undergoing hand surgery last month to repair the webbing on his hand which split during a marking drill at training.
ESSENDON has suspended Michael Hurley from playing in the 2010 NAB Cup and Challenge competition after he was charged with assault following an altercation with a taxi driver in September.
The 19-year-old, who has been charged with five counts of assault, will reappear in court on March 5.
Bombers chief executive said the suspension was one part of the club's punishment for the talented youngster.
"Michael made a serious mistake and he is extremely remorseful for his actions," Robson said.
"He accepts that the club has imposed this sanction, and will take further action, and he will continue to fully co-operate with police and the courts."
Robson said the sanction does not speak to Hurley's guilt or innocence on the assault charges and will stand regardless of the court outcome.
ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights says a knock to second-year utility Michael Hurley's wrist is nothing serious.
The 19-year-old, who just had plaster removed after post-season surgery on his right hand, sent a scare through the Bombers camp when he jarred his wrist at training on Monday.
Hurley favoured the hand during training at Latrobe University on Wednesday but Knights said there wasn't anything to worry about.
"He went in, everything was clear, the docs cleared him and he came out and trained today, so that would be just a little bit of a flow-on from that," Knights said.
"There's a little bit of soreness still but it was only a jarring incident and he'll adjust."
Meanwhile, ruckman David Hille, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against in the first quarter of Essendon's stunning win over Collingwood on Anzac Day last year, took part in Wednesday's session bar the match practice.
Knights said Hille is a chance to play in round one.
"If I get asked the question, I say he's going beautifully for round one," he said.
"If you speak to the medicals and the fitness staff, they've got to keep the reins on him a bit, but we're all pretty united on that - we'll play David when he's ready."
"It'll be 11 months in round one and ... if he's not round one let's say he won't be too long after that - it's probably a round one to four bracket."
JOBE Watson has been named Essendon skipper for the 2010 season.
The 24-year-old, who was unveiled as the Bombers' new captain when he led the playing group onto Windy Hill Oval in front of several thousand die-hard fans on Monday morning, succeeds Matthew Lloyd who retired at the end of this season.
He follows in the footsteps of his father Tim who captained the Dons from 1989-1991
Andrew Welsh has been named vice-captain.
Watson had his best season in 2009, averaging almost 25 possessions per game and racking up 10 Brownlow Medal votes.
The hard-nosed midfielder also won the Crichton Medal as Essendon's best-and-fairest for the first time.
Watson said it was a 'tremendous honour' to be appointed captain.
"It's not something you aim to do as a young fella but it's a really humbling experience," Watson said.
"You look at the people who've gone before you, the history of the club and just to be the captain of the club, it's a surreal-type feeling."
"To be voted by my peers and teammates and for them to have the confidence in me that I was ready really helped me."
Bombers football operations manager Paul Hamilton said Watson was the right man for the job.
"He is a quality person and is a player that has had to work hard to achieve what he has in the game," Hamilton said.
"He leads by example on and off the field. He has an appetite and desire for success and wants to bring people along with him on the journey. Jobe has an outstanding leadership group behind him and I am confident that, as a group, they will unite the club and provide strong direction."
Hamilton said the final decision on the captain and vice-captain was left to the six-man leadership group.
"It was a rigorous process and one that showed the depth of leadership we have at the club. The leadership group walked out of the meeting united that, together, they will strive to improve the team and club. There was a really strong understanding that leadership is not about one person but is about having a group of leaders," he said.
"We want to empower the playing group to really lead and take control of the big decisions that need to be made so this was an important process for Essendon to go through."
Taken with pick 40 under the father-son rule in the 2002 national draft, Watson has played 94 games for Essendon since making his AFL debut in 2003.
ESSENDON has named Brent Stanton and Dustin Fletcher as the final additions to their six-man leadership group for next season.
The pair join Jobe Watson, David Hille, Mark McVeigh and Andrew Welsh.
Stanton said it was an honour to be included in the leadership group.
"When you look at all the great players that have been in the leadership group it makes you feel proud," Stanton said.
"When I first came to the club we had been quite successful and there were all these great players and I didn't want to speak up and interupt but now I am one of the more senior guys and I want to contribute more."
Bombers football operations manager Paul Hamilton said Fletcher - the league's oldest player - 'made himself available' to be a part of the leadership group for the first time since 2007 and the players welcomed the idea.
"He clearly has enormous respect within the playing group and he is very keen to utilise the experience he has gained from his 17 seasons in the AFL to help develop this young group," Hamilton said.
Fletcher, 34, has played 312 games for Essendon since making his AFL debut in 1993.
He is a dual premiership player, two-time All Australian and won the Bombers' best-and-fairest award during the club's record-breaking 2000 premiership season.
Taken with pick 13 in the 2003 national draft, Stanton has played 121 games for the Bombers after making his AFL debut in 2004.
Essendon will announce its new captain before the players leave for the Christmas break.
ESSENDON defender Nathan Lovett-Murray has escaped a court conviction after a drug charge against him was dropped.
Lovett-Murray was charged with possession of ecstasy after a police raid on his home in August.
But police prosecutors told Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Friday that the charge had been struck out.
Magistrate Robert Kumar - who commended Lovett-Murray for his work within the community - especially with Indingenous youth - said the 26-year-old would not be convicted for a second charge of driving while unlicensed.
Speaking outside of court, Bombers football operations manager Paul Hamilton said Lovett-Murray was relieved by the decision.
"Nathan has said from the start he did not possess any drugs and does not take drugs - today that charge has been withdrawn and his name has been cleared," Hamilton said.
"Nathan wants to thank his family, friends and supporters for standing by him during what has been a difficult period."
"As far as Nathan and the football club are concerned, we now consider this matter resolved and will not be making any further comment."
ESSENDON young gun Michael Hurley will face the Melbourne Magistrate's Court in January over an incident in September.
The Bombers confirmed on Friday that the 19-year-old had been charged by police with allegedly assaulting a taxi driver but said they would make no further comment on the matter at this stage.
In the wake of the incident, then Essendon managing director Peter Jackson said the club was 'extremely disappointed' in Hurley's behaviour.
"He started drinking at the Grand Final Footy Show after-party and by night's end he had clearly had too much to drink," Jackson said.
"As a club we work with our players to help them make good choices - and the vast majority do - so it is disappointing and unacceptable that this situation has occurred."
"We also run a number of community programs where our players work with young people to educate them about the dangers associated with binge drinking."
Taken with pick five in the 2008 national draft, Hurley is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in the AFL after impressing in 10 games this year.
He played at both ends of the ground and earned a NAB Rising Star nomination for his 20-possession, ten-mark and one-goal performance in the Bombers' upset win over St Kilda in round 20.
ESSENDON utility Adam McPhee has quit the Bombers and has nominated for December's pre-season draft in a bid to return to his original club Fremantle.
The Dockers, who have pick three in the pre-season draft, are expected to offer the 27-year-old a three-year deal.
Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton admitted the club was disappointed to lose McPhee but said the two-year offer put on the table was 'more than fair'.
"We have an obligation to deliver our fans a period of sustained success and we were not prepared to compromise our strategy," Hamilton told the club's website.
"Adam leaving opens the door for a young player like David Myers, Cale Hooker, Darcy Daniher or Michael Still to really grab their opportunity and cement a place in the senior team next year."
"We only want players here that want to play for this club and Adam has decided he doesn't want to be part of this emerging playing group."
Taken with pick 39 in the 2000 national draft, McPhee played 25 games in two seasons with Fremantle before being traded to Essendon where he managed 142 appearances.
He won the Bombers' best-and-fairest award in 2004 and earned All-Australian honours in the same year.
ESSENDON chairman Ray Horsburgh is set to stand down.
The 65-year-old, who joined the Bombers board in 2003 before becoming chairman late in 2005, will stand down at the club's upcoming annual general meeting.
During his time as chairman, Horsburgh oversaw the decision to end Kevin Sheedy's 27-year tenure as coach, the appointment of Matthew Knights as senior coach and Ian Robson as chief executive.
Horsburgh admitted there had been some difficult periods during his reign but said all decisions were made with the best interests of the club at heart.
"You go into these roles knowing not every decision is going to be popular but this club means an enormous amount to me and you only ever do what you believe is right. I can leave the position knowing the club always came first," Horsburgh told Essendon's website.
"I think the club is in very good hands. Ian Robson has been an excellent addition and he has a very good management team in place around him to take this club forward."
Horsburgh believes the time is right for a new chairman.
"It has been an honour to be chairman of this great club but succession planning is an important part of any business and the timing makes sense with Ian Robson having just joined the club and with a relatively new senior coach in place," he said.
"The recent changes have given the club a real energy and I am very excited about what lies ahead in the coming years. It is a new era and I think it is fitting that a new chairman leads us into that era."
Horsburgh's replacement - David Evans - the son of former club president and AFL chairman Ron Evans - will be appointed at the club's AGM on December 21.
While Horsburgh will no longer be chairman, he will remain with Essendon as a director for the next two years.
ADAM McPhee remains an Essendon player for now following Friday's second official list lodgement
The out-of-contract 27-year-old, who is now ineligible for the November 26 national draft, has until the third list lodgement on December 2 to decide his future.
The Bombers have put a two-year deal on the table but it is understood McPhee wants three years.
The 167-gamer has been linked with his former club, Fremantle, which has pick three in the pre-season draft and is reportedly prepared to give him a three-year contract.
Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said the club was keen to retain McPhee and expected a decision 'in the near future'.
"Adam is a listed Essendon player and we will continue negotiations about a new contract," Hamilton told the club's official website.
ESSENDON midfielder Andrew Welsh and defender Nathan Lovett-Murray have signed new two-year deals which will see them remain at Windy Hill until at least the end of the 2011 season.
It had been reported that Welsh was holding out for a three-year deal but the 26-year-old put pen to paper on Monday, ensuring he will receive life membership at the club for 10 years of service.
Meanwhile, the new contract is a major boost for Lovett-Murray who endured a tumultous period this season.
The 27-year-old was charged with possessing a drug of dependence after a single ecstasy tablet was found in his home in August.
The Bombers backed Lovett-Murray and allowed him to continue to train and play with the senior group. He will face court later this month.
Essendon general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said Welsh and Lovett-Murray were an important part of the club's future.
"Andrew and Nathan are two of the real leaders at the club and as two senior players with strong bodies they will be important to our future success," Hamilton said.
"Nathan played some really good football this year and, while Andrew was restricted with a serious leg injury, he returned and also showed what he is capable of."
"They will both now have a big pre-season and we expect them to be primed for 2010 and show their trademark courage and determination on the field."
Welsh has played 145 games in eight seasons with the Bombers while Lovett-Murray has managed 99 appearances after being promoted off the rookie list in 2004.
Meanwhile, the future of utility Adam McPhee remains in doubt.
The Bombers are yet to re-sign the 27-year-old who has been linked with a move back to his former club Fremantle.
McPhee has notched up 142 matches with the Bombers for a total of 167 after he was traded from the Dockers at the end of 2002.
He earnt All-Australian honours in 2004 and won Essendon's best-and-fairest award in the same year
ESSENDON utility Hayden Skipworth has announced his retirement from AFL football.
Skipworth played 44 games for Adelaide before being delisted at the end of 2006.
He joined the Bombers' VFL affiliate Bendigo in 2007 but suffered a serious knee injury early in the season.
However, Skipworth bounced back to win Bendigo's best-and-fairest award the following year which prompted the Dons to take him with pick three in the 2008 pre-season draft.
But the 26-year-old said his body was no longer able to cope with the rigours of the modern game.
"Unfortunately my body is struggling to cope with the AFL workload and I wasn't able to play the sort of footy I wanted to play, especially in the second half of the year," Skipworth said.
"I want to thank the Essendon Football Club and its supporters for embracing me after coming from a different club. I have been made to feel welcome and, although it was my first year on the playing list, I have been at Windy Hill for three years and the club has been great.
"It's a great club and thanks to Matthew Knights and the recruitment people for giving me the opportunity. Even though it didn't last as long as I would have liked it was great to get back out there. I also want to thank my family and friends for all their support."
Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton paid tribute to Skipworth.
"Hayden had a good start to the year but, physically, he wasn't able to maintain it. He is a great club man and was very well liked and respected by the players and coaches," Hamilton said.
"He played a big role in the development of guys like Tayte Pears and Kyle Reimers by showing them the commitment and dedication required to be a professional footballer."
Skipworth finished with 55 games and 33 goals to his name after making his AFL debut with the Crows in 2001.
Meanwhile, the Bombers have axed John Williams - who played just the one game back in 2008 - and rookie-listed players Rhys Magin, Tom German, Bryce Carroll and Kade Klemke.
Magin managed four appearances for the club last year after briefly being promoted to the senior list late in the season.
ESSENDON midfielder Jobe Watson has claimed his first Crichton Medal at the Crown Palladium on Wednesday night.
Watson polled 335 votes to win the best-and-fairest award ahead of veteran defender Dustin Fletcher (289) and midfielder Brent Stanton (284).
The 24-year-old joins an illustrious group of winners that includes James Hird, Gary O'Donnell and Watson's father Tim who won the award four times in the 1980s.
Watson missed just the one game this season - the round 14 clash against Collingwood due to an ankle problem - and averaged 24.7 possessions per match.
His consistency was reflected in the fact that he polled in 15 of his 21 games.
Watson's best performance came in round 20 when he racked up 37 disposals, laid eight tackles and kicked one goal in the Bombers' upset win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
Taken under the father-son rule with pick 40 in the 2002 national draft, Watson has played 94 games and kicked 34 goals.
In other awards, promising defender Tayte Pears was named rising star, Patrick Ryder won the most courageous award and claimed the Bill Hutchison Award for making a signifcant contribution to the club’s community activities, Ricky Dyson won the most improved award while wingman Jason Winderlich was recognised for striving for excellence.
Meanwhile, the club announced that its goal-kicking award would be named after recently retired skipper Matthew Lloyd who won the gong for the 12th time with 35 goals in 2009.
2009 Crichton medal voting:
1. Jobe Watson – 335
2. Dustin Fletcher – 289
3. Brent Stanton – 284
4. Patrick Ryder – 223
5. Jason Winderlich – 220
6. Tayte Pears – 204
7. Ricky Dyson – 201
8. Angus Monfries – 197
9. Adam McPhee – 192
10. Henry Slattery – 186
TonyK
Cibbuano
Add Comments
