Essendon will be without Sam Draper for up to eight weeks after the dynamic ruckman required surgery on a lingering knee injury.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Draper, 25, had missed the Bombers' past two games with the knee issue, which the club had hoped would settle.
He had been experiencing pain when kicking, and after a recent medical consultation Draper underwent a knee arthroscopy on Tuesday and will be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
The Bombers will be patient with Draper, who had an interrupted pre-season after surgery on a groin injury that derailed the back half of his 2023 season.
"Sam is an important player for us, both for our structure and for the energy he provides to the team, so we wanted to get on top of this issue as quickly as possible," Essendon general manager of football Daniel McPherson said in a statement.
"After a couple of days of recovery post-operation, he will undertake a rehab program, which we expect will have him available to return to play just after our mid-season bye."
Essendon have the bye in round 14.
Draper's absence is a blow to the third-placed Bombers (6-1-2), who are unbeaten in five games.
Veteran Todd Goldstein has been leading Essendon's ruck department, with support from key forward Peter Wright, and is set to face his former club North Melbourne on Sunday.
The Bombers also have young ruckman Nick Bryan and untested rookie Vigo Visentini waiting in the wings.
Meanwhile, GWS will be without influential midfielder Josh Kelly and defender Lachie Ash for their Saturday clash against the Western Bulldogs.
After reporting calf soreness on Monday following their 20-point loss to Essendon, subsequent scans revealed both players had suffered tendon injuries.
Kelly and Ash will be sidelined for six weeks each.
Australian Associated Press
