Rampe recovery ahead of forecast

Watson fresh for clash with Cats

JOBE Watson will “be hard to leave out” of Essendon’s team to take on Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night, according to teammate Zach Merrett.

The former Bombers skipper was spared the trip to Perth last weekend to tackle Fremantle in an effort to freshen him, with coach John Worsfold optimistic the break would enable him to “fully bounce back”.

Merrett said the 32-year-old was “excited” and energised this week.

“He’s fresh,” Merrett said. “He had a couple of days off and he’s buzzing around the place.

“Hopefully he’ll come back in and he’ll be ready to influence the game strongly for us.

“He’d be hard to leave out. It would be a tough call for (Worsfold) to leave him out.

“He’s got so much experience and is still playing some fantastic footy.

“He was a bit quiet against Melbourne but I’m sure he will come back fine on Saturday night. A few walks on the beach with his dog and his girlfriend and he’s ready to go.”

Essendon played three games in 13 days but Merrett said the team wasn’t blaming the schedule for losses to the Demons and Dockers. SYDNEY coach John Longmire has praised defenders Dane Rampe and Aliir Aliir and revealed the former could be back earlier than expected from his arm injury.

Aliir was omitted from the Swans side to play Brisbane at the SCG last Sunday, after turning up late for their eve-ofmatch run.

He is no certainty to face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, but Longmire’s faith in his character remains unshaken.

“Aliir’s a fantastic character, he’s been wonderful for this club over the last couple of years and still very good. He just made a mistake,” Longmire said.

All-Australian back Rampe has been sidelined since Round 1 after breaking his arm a few metres from the Swans offices, as he tripped on a chain he tried to jump over.

Sydney have badly missed Rampe’s quality, losing their first five matches and conceding uncharacteristically high scores before getting their first win last weekend. Longmire previously feared Rampe might not return until next month.

However, he said Rampe’s specialist on Monday was pleased with his progress.