Forward Alwyn Davey’s 2009 is likely over after MRI scans on Monday revealed damage to his AC joint. He is expected to be sidelined for at least 3 weeks, meaning the Bombers will need to go deep into the finals for him to return.

“The results confirmed that Alwyn has a grade three injury to his shoulder which is fairly severe,” Essendon football manager Paul Hamilton said.

“There is very little he can do other than rest over the first couple of days. He is very sore and can’t lift his arm up at this stage so we will give him a period of rest.

“Once it is rested up and the swelling has gone down, we will start working on some basic movement patterns and build it up from there.”