Essendon’s injury list has grown significantly over the last three weeks.

After experiencing a below average injury rate during the first half of the season, the Bombers have lost ten players since the bye.

Heath Hocking was named for his first AFL game of the season on Thursday but pulled out on the eve of the match with a lower back problem.

“He had a sacroiliac joint which became inflamed,” Club Doctor Bruce Reid said.

“He’s done a lot of running but then following the seconds game he pulled up tight in the glutes and was pretty sore there so we didn’t go into the game with him.

“We’ll see how he comes up this week.”

Jake Melksham was also withdrawn from the squad with a sore hamstring and is set to miss again this week.

“It is a minor hamstring but you still have to have tissue heal, you still have to prepare them and you don’t turn a small tear into a big tear if you can help it,” Dr Reid said.

Alex Browne was subbed out of the match against Melbourne in his first senior game since 2012 after hitting his head on the ground.

“In the rules of concussion now, it’s pretty well automatic if you’ve got severe balance disturbance,” Dr Reid said.

“He’s come up very well. He was at recovery and has been training.

“He has to pass the tests we do and clinically he’s got to be good so we’ll see how he is when we test him.”

David Myers is set to miss another week because of tendonitis on the side of his knee.

Orazio Fantasia and Nick Kommer have been sidelined with thigh injuries.

While veteran Dustin Fletcher has been suffering from abdominal tendonitis.