As the GIANTS get set take to head to Melbourne to take on the Bombers on Sunday afternoon, we’ve been keeping a close eye on all the news coming from inside the Hangar.
Essendon suffered their 10th straight loss of the season on Friday night but somewhat surprisingly - considering their troubles - their first by over 100 points for the season.
The Bombers made a bright start on Friday night, kicking two of the game's opening three goals – both of them through Joe Daniher – but that only seemed to spark the Hawks into gear.
Kicking the next eight goals, the Hawks effectively had the Dons down for the count when they led by 48 points at the 13-minute mark of the second term.
Hawthorn toyed with the Bombers for the rest of the game to claim a 23.13 (151) to 6.7 (43) victory.
"It's always challenging whenever you have big losses, but we've had a few of them this year and I'm sure we've got a couple ahead," coach John Worsfold said after the game.
"But that should not change our desire to improve and challenge each other in the way we prepare and learn and train. It won't get any easier for the players in terms of what we demand from them because that's the way they've got to be, whether they're on the bottom of the ladder or whether they're on the top.
"There's a certain mindset you have to have in this competition. That's what we're trying to build.
"The harder we work now, the greater the chances of having excellent rewards sooner rather than later.
"If we sit there and wallow and feel sorry for ourselves for any period of time, we're just delaying our chance to get back to where we want to be."
In team news, 2016 revelation Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti should return after being rested for last week’s match.
The Essendon backline could also receive a much needed boost for their match against the GIANTS.
Defender Michael Hartley is likely to be available for selection after making solid progress from a hamstring injury suffered against Richmond.
Hartley has completed the allocated rehabilitation and will just need to get through training this week in order to be considered for the game.
“Harts is going really well,” Essendon Head Physiotherapist Peter Blanch said.
“He got through just over 11km of running on Saturday at training and he ticked off his top speed.
“He’ll be back in full training this week and will be available to play for this weekend.”
Youngster Jayden Laverde may also return this week after he made a successful comeback for Essendon VFL over the weekend.
In his first game back from shoulder surgery, Laverde moved well, marked strongly and kicked three goals in the loss to Sandringham.
Young Bomber Aaron Francis has also been cleared of a leg injury and is expected to be available for selection this weekend.
For their VFL side, James Polkinghorne impressed with 30 disposals while Jason Ashby played his best game of the season picking up 25 touches.
“He (Polkinghorne) spent the majority of the game as an inside mid, he won a lot of the ball, was strong around the contest and won a number of clearances for us,” said Development Coach/VFL Assistant Coach Paul Corrigan said.
“Jace was really good, he mopped up down back, he applied pressure when he needed to and he was also taking intercept marks for us. With the inexperience we had down back, he really stood up for us. His drive off half back was really crucial to us staying in the game.”
The GIANTS head to Melbourne to take on the Bombers at Etihad Stadium on Sunday at 4.40pm.
