Gun midfielder Zach Merrett would require surgical procedure after struggling a excessive syndesmosis damage in opposition to Brisbane, in a hammer blow to Essendon’s AFL marketing campaign.
Merrett limped off within the dying moments of Saturday’s loss to the Lions at Marvel Stadium, simply minutes after teen Nik Cox was helped from the sector with an ankle damage.
However Merrett will likely be sidelined for as much as two months whereas Cox is touch-and-go to face Melbourne on Friday.
“Zach and Nik had scans this morning and have each suffered ankle accidents, with Zach anticipated to have an extended stint on the sidelines,” Essendon soccer boss Josh Mahoney mentioned.
“We are going to have a look at surgical procedure as an choice for Zach however it’s probably he’ll miss round six to eight weeks.
“Nik’s damage is not as extreme so we’ll assess his restoration this week and provides him one of the best likelihood to rise up for our match in opposition to Melbourne.”
Merrett, 26, is the Bombers’ reigning finest and fairest winner and was an All-Australian in 2021.
His damage is a big blow for Essendon, who’re 0-2 heading into their conflict with the reigning premiers.