ESSENDON is not concerned about Michael Hurley's ankle injury after the star defender limped from the field in the club's intra-club match on Friday.

The All Australian backman was a casualty in the short practice game at the Bombers' Tullamarine headquarters, leaving the field after rolling his ankle in the contest.

But Bombers assistant coach Guy McKenna said the issue was minor and was unlikely to change the club's plans for Hurley in the JLT Community Series.

"It's just a little tweak. It's blown up a fraction, [but] it's not a huge one. He was obviously not happy about going off as he's such a great competitor, but [it's] maybe a week. It's not a bad one," McKenna said.

"We've got such a break between the three [pre-season] games, so I think 'Woosha' (coach John Worsfold) wants to get the chemistry in with what that best 22 looks like.

"But he's not going to take any risks as well, as last I looked there's no premiership in April or May."

Last year's best and fairest winner Zach Merrett also had limited game time on Friday after receiving a corked leg, while second-year Bomber Alex Morgan hurt his ankle.

The club's leading goalkicker Joe Daniher sat out the first section of the internal game but in positive injury news for the club, the 22-year-old took part in the second period.

He has managed a knee injury over summer and had a restricted pre-season program, and McKenna said it was encouraging to have Daniher out there.

"It's exciting see him come off the pre-season he's had and to do the little flickers of ball control and kick a goal over his shoulder and those type of things," McKenna said.

"That was probably his second block of 20 minutes [of match simulation] in the pre-season, so he could be a toss of the coin for JLT round one."

Cale Hooker (hamstring) and Tom Bellchambers (knee) were among the modified training group to not play in the intra-club, as well as David Myers, whose load was being managed.

Youngsters Kyle Langford and Darcy Parish were among the leading performers out there, with both players impressing in midfield roles. Martin Gleeson's development across half-back was also evident.

"With the players who are returning being very senior and very good players, we were hoping that the group last year who moved forward last year didn't take a step back," McKenna said.

"Some of those players like Langford, [Jake] Long and Parish, you can see they're hungry for success. And their performances around [Jobe] Watson, [David] Zaharakis and [Brendon] Goddard were very good and very encouraging."

Watson's class and composure through the midfield stood out in the contest, while fellow captaincy contender Dyson Heppell hit the scoreboard from a midfield role.

The club will appoint a captain before it opens the pre-season competition with its clash against Collingwood on Thursday, February 16 at Etihad Stadium.

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