Dons to use the rest of this week to finalise their top-up list ahead of NAB Challenge
ESSENDON is hopeful it can assemble a full group of top-up players by Monday and introduce them into its VFL training program ahead of the NAB Challenge.
Football manager Rob Kerr said the club had been approached by a number of agents and their players keen to earn a second chance by representing the Bombers.
"We said to the AFL today we'd like to get some players in for medicals as soon as we can," Kerr told SEN.
"We've got to make sure they're fit and ready to go, and hopefully there are no injuries.
"We'd be thinking that come Monday we've got a pretty reasonable group of top-up players to come in and join with the VFL squad in the first instance to train."
Kerr said the Bombers were not discussing temporary contracts for players beyond the first two NAB Challenge matches, with hopes the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal will deliver a favourable ruling for those players provisionally suspended.
The Bombers are also finalising compensation arrangements for state-league clubs that are concerned about their players suffering injuries in the NAB Challenge.
"The players are doing us a favour by making themselves available and the clubs are also making a sacrifice there," Kerr said.
"Some of the finer details to be agreed involve implications for state league clubs and compensation in the event of injury."
Don't discount Sam: Why young Dog is a Rising Star smokey
While Harley Reid is the clear standout for the Rising Star award after seven rounds, Sam Darcy is putting together a compelling case for the title aswell
Dons apologise to Bevo after Draper's 'bizarre' podcast claims
Essendon officials reach out to Dogs coach after Bombers ruck claimed key players would leave the club
Handball-happy Dockers far from defensive, says Longmuir
Fremantle coach says analysts should look closer at how his side plays
Dog to debut, stars set to return for clash against Hawks
Charlie Clarke will make his first AFL appearance in Sunday's match against Hawthorn