Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti in action against Greater Western Sydney. Picture: AFL Photos

ESSENDON coach John Worsfold has backed small forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti to recapture his best form, with the livewire a victim of the Bombers' forward line injury woes.

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Those woes are set to deepen for Wednesday night's clash with Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, with Jacob Townsend ruled out through concussion.

00:33

Townsend left dazed after Shaw collision

Jacob Townsend's night appears over after he had to be helped from the ground following a big collision with Heath Shaw.

He will join Joe Daniher (groin), Orazio Fantasia (calf), Jake Stringer (ankle) and Jayden Laverde (ankle) as forwards sidelined for the Bombers, with Fantasia a chance to return against St Kilda on Sunday.

McDonald-Tipungwuti has booted 10 goals from nine games this season and averaged nine disposals, and his pass to Shaun McKernan from inside-50 late in the clash against the Giants was questioned post-game. 

But Worsfold said the Bombers' forward injury crisis had made for a flow-on effect to the game-changing goalkicker.

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"He's not far off [his best]. He's playing some pretty good footy for us and his pressure is, as always, a strong part of his game and keeps the opposition on their toes," Worsfold said on Monday.

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"What we're really working towards is having a forward line that really understands their roles and works well together. We haven't had a lot of continuity with the guys playing alongside each other.

"We've had to use 'Walla' in a couple of different roles throughout the year to help out as we've blooded a couple of younger players. But overall he's in good shape and at some point maybe he'll end up with a bigger haul of goals.

"But as long as the Essendon footy club ends up with a good tally, we'll be happy."

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 05:17

    Worsfold: 'We couldn't maintain that pressure on them'

    Watch Essendon's press conference after their round 10 match against GWS

    AFL
  • 08:06

    Cameron: 'Our midfield … I thought they dug in'

    Watch GWS's press conference after their round 10 match against Essendon

    AFL
  • 07:55

    Highlights: Essendon v GWS

    The Bombers and Giants clash in round 10

    AFL
  • 00:47

    Giants hit the front with slick transition from defence

    Jeremy Cameron puts GWS in the lead for the first time since the first quarter after some impressive running play from the Giants

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  • 00:30

    Undisciplined McKenna gifts Giants a goal

    Heath Shaw slots his second of the night after a silly 50m penalty from Conor McKenna left him with a simple conversion from inside the arc

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  • 01:00

    Phil Davis comes from the ground with knee issue

    Concern in the Giants camp for Phil Davis after he appears to hurt his knee in a marking contest

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  • 00:27

    Big Don Draper celebrates first goal like a mad man

    Young Essendon ruck Sam Draper slots the first goal of his career then goes absolutely nuts

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  • 00:38

    Shiel roosts one home from centre square

    The Bombers have their fifth straight goal in the second half courtesy of a massive Dylan Shiel bomb from the centre square.

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  • 00:23

    'Guys, the game has started': Giants break drought

    After a goalless opening quarter, it took less than a minute into the second quarter for Stephen Coniglio to register the first major of the game.

    AFL
  • 00:20

    Mummy sits Merrett on his backside

    Zach Merrett may have dodged a bullet after copping a Shane Mumford shirt-front and walking away unscathed

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  • 00:33

    Townsend left dazed after Shaw collision

    Jacob Townsend's night appears over after he had to be helped from the ground following a big collision with Heath Shaw.

    AFL

 The Bombers need that tally to come this week against the Suns after falling outside the top-eight following last week's last-gasp loss to Greater Western Sydney.

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They then face the Saints four days later at the Gabba and Worsfold said the club would think about that game as it made its selections for the Suns clash.

Backline revelation Jordan Ridley finished Friday night's loss to the Giants with sore ribs but Worsfold said he was confident the youngster would play this week.

The Bombers are still unsure when captain Dyson Heppell will be available after ankle surgery, with Worsfold saying he could be back in "three weeks or six weeks".

"It's a bit of an unknown at the moment but he's progressing really well," he said. "I think it will be hopefully really quick." 

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