Essendon coach Brad Scott confident club has ‘avoided catastrophe’ as virus forces drastic training changes
Brad Scott is hopeful Essendon have avoided catastrophe by implementing COVID-style protocols after a virus threw up an unexpected hurdle in the club’s preparation for the AFL clash with Gold Coast.
Scott is operating with drastically reduced staff numbers this week, but on Thursday insisted no players would be sidelined by the virus.
It comes as the Bombers (8-2-1) seek to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches in the meeting with the Suns at Carrara Stadium on Sunday.
“If there’s a silver lining out of the COVID era and hubs and protocols (it’s that) we’ve certainly enacted our protocols very quickly to minimise the risk,” Bombers coach Scott told reporters before training on Thursday.
“All our players are fine but we’ve got a skeleton staff because we’ve kept our staff away.
Essendon players have operated in smaller group training sessions this week but were put through what appeared to be a standard main session at Tullamarine on Thursday.
“We’ve had a bit of a different week in terms of meetings and how we’ve structured that, but it’s actually been really impressive to watch our players adapt to different circumstances,” Scott said.
“It’s also a sign that our players want to do more, not less.”
