Essendon's Injury Woes Continue With New Recruit
Essendon Football Club finds itself at the centre of more injury drama as their prized draft acquisition Sullivan Robey faces immediate training restrictions due to a back issue.
The Bombers selected Robey with Pick 9 in the national draft, but the 18-year-old midfielder-forward will have his training loads scaled back as the club takes a cautious approach to his recovery.
Pre-Existing Condition Comes to Light
Reports indicate Robey had been managing back stress for several months before joining Essendon, though this didn't prevent the club from making him their top selection.
The 192cm talent was one of the draft's biggest stories after bolting up the board, making his immediate injury setback particularly disappointing for Bombers supporters.
Essendon's brutal injury crisis in 2024 saw the departure of high performance boss Sean Murphy and contributed to a 13-game losing streak that sent the club sliding down the ladder.
Fans Roast 'Essendon Curse'
AFL supporters showed no mercy when news of Robey's condition emerged on Thursday, despite the issue predating his arrival at the club.
One fan captured the sentiment perfectly: "Things that are certainties in life - Death, Taxes and the Essendon curse."
Another critic unfairly commented: "Man, when it comes to ruining players, Essendon work fast," while others referenced the club's notorious reputation with player injuries.
The social media roasting intensified as supporters expressed frustration about the club's ongoing fitness battles.
One Essendon fan directly addressed reporter Cal Twomey: "Cal, can you just relax with Essendon injury updates, just trying to enjoy my summer."
Another observer questioned the club's due diligence, wondering: "Surely the kid had to do a medical before getting drafted…"
Further Concerns for Bombers
The Robey news comes as another potential setback emerged when gun ball-magnet Nic Martin, who is returning from an ACL injury, slipped at training.
Martin has undergone scans following the mishap, leaving frustrated fans anxiously awaiting updates on his condition.
Essendon shares the record for most premierships in AFL/VFL history with 16 flags, alongside traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton, and maintains one of the competition's largest supporter bases.
However, the once-dominant club has become a fading powerhouse in the 21st century, with their last premiership coming in 2000 and their most recent finals victory dating back to 2004.
For Bombers supporters hoping for a ladder climb in 2026 after this year's injury nightmare, the early setbacks represent concerning signs.
