Zaharakis set for Round 1 return

David Zaharakis got through Essendon's practice match unscathed on Friday. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON midfielder David Zaharakis is in line to play Friday night's opening game despite a severely restricted preparation.

Zaharakis could be named in the Bombers' 22 to play Adelaide with less than a full game under his belt since the end of last season.

The 2011 best and fairest winner pulled up sound after playing three quarters of a VFL trial game at the club's new training headquarters near Melbourne airport last Friday night.

It was his first match practice since he reinjured a thigh muscle during training in January, forcing him to sit out the entire NAB Cup series.

"The last two weeks, we've really upped the ante and worked him hard. But he had a major quad (injury) last year and a recurrence, so they were very cautious with him leading into the season," football operations manager Danny Corcoran said yesterday.

The Bombers may opt to ease Zaharakis back as the designated substitute on the interchange bench for the AFL opener against the Crows at AAMI Stadium.

Zaharakis kicked a goal in the first half and ran at full capacity as one of 17 senior list players to contribute to the VFL team's big win against Bendigo Gold.

Jake Melksham is also available to boost Essendon's midfield stocks after a solid hitout following a broken hand in an intraclub game that disrupted his NAB Cup preparation.

"We haven't had match committee yet, but they are certainly in contention for selection," Corcoran said.

The Bombers can take a near full strength team to Adelaide. And forward Jason Winderlich is ready to rejoin training this week too.

Ruckman David Hille and defenders Kyle Hardingham and Tayte Pears were other senior players to tune up for the new season with the VFL team.

Injury-plagued key forward Scott Gumbleton indicated he may be ready to provide another tall option this season with another solid performance last Friday night.

Gumbleton, restricted by back and leg injuries in past years, kicked five goals from nearly a dozen contested marks in his second consecutive practice match.

The Bombers hope the 24-year-old can build on the consistency and remain fit for the early rounds with the VFL team to provide an option for Michael Hurley or Patrick Ryder in the Bombers' forward setup.

Essendon players, who had the weekend off, will train twice this week and the named 22 and emergencies will have another light run on Thursday morning before flying to Adelaide.

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