Essendon injury blow as Parish suffers setback in training

April 11, 2025 5:09 pm.by Michael Maguire

Essendon Bombers News

Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish is facing even more time on the sidelines after an injury setback in training this week.

Yet to feature in the 2025 AFL season due to a back problem, the star on-baller was set to return to action in a VFL practice match against Box Hill this Saturday.

However, the Bombers have pulled him out of that fixture after he suffered a calf strain, with the 27-year-old expected to miss at least another month of footy.

It continues a frustrating run for Parish, who has struggled with fitness issues ever since his All-Australian year in 2021.

The news doesn’t do Essendon any favours in their push for finals, with online bookmakers paying long odds of $7 for Brad Scott’s side to make the top eight.

The Bombers are also missing the in-form Jye Caldwell as they face a struggling Melbourne outfit at Adelaide Oval this Saturday night.

Fresh off a bye after their win over Port Adelaide in Round 3, Essendon are slender favourites at $1.85 with BetOnline to get the job done in Gather Round.

Sports news