Former Essendon captain Tim Watson has posed the question as to whether All-Australian duo Michael Hurley and Joe Daniher are automatic inclusions when they return from injury.
The Bombers have won their last two games and have seemingly turned their season around without the two.
Watson wonders what Essendon’s best side looks like when both are healthy.
“This is the really interesting thing for Essendon. Joe Daniher is not playing in that forward line and Michael Hurley is not playing in that defensive unit at the moment – they actually look better without them,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“I’m not saying they’re a better team because they’re not playing, but they look better right now without both of those players.
“I’m saying the balance of the team looks better right now without an extra tall at each end.
“You would think they’re still automatic ins, but they’re going to have to shuffle and take another tall out elsewhere.”
Watson explained why he’s not completely sure the Bombers should change it up.
“Earlier in the year they were unbalanced. They were trying to play three talls in their forward line and it didn’t work,” he said.
“Now they’ve got the problem at the other end too.
“They’ve put Cale Hooker back and it’s worked, they’ve got Patrick Ambrose who plays on the endurance athletes and Hurley now, I reckon there’s a big question they need to ask themselves about what combination they want back there.”
Essendon will take on reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night in the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G game.