Essendon Bombers take double blow with Jobe Watson and Heath Hocking sidelined

Watson could be sidelined for as many as three matches after scans yesterday revealed a hamstring strain sustained against Brisbane last weekend, while fellow midfielder Hocking was offered a three-match sanction by the match review panel for intentionally striking.
The Bombers will be missing up to seven front-line players against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night, including key-position player Michael Hurley, who has been ruled out in successive weeks with a foot problem.
Following an off-the-ball incident in the opening minutes at the Gabba, Hocking was charged by the panel for a head-high strike on Brisbane's James Polkinghorne, who was concussed and remains in some doubt to play this weekend.
The incident was assessed as high impact, drawing 425 demerit points and a four-match sanction.
However, an early guilty plea will allow Hocking to accept a three-game ban - meaning he will miss matches against the Tigers, Melbourne and Fremantle - and take 18.75 demerit points into next season.
Watson will be missed as he has averaged almost 30 possessions this season and kicked 13 goals in Essendon's first eight games. Essendon has a bye after Richmond, which could enable its captain to become available against the Dockers in round 12.
Struggling Melbourne has been dealt a further blow to its already injury riddled list, with utility Lynden Dunn being offered a two-game sanction for engaging in rough conduct against North Melbourne defender Daniel Pratt.
Dunn's action in crudely sliding into Pratt with his knees was assessed as reckless conduct, medium impact and high contact, drawing 325 demerit points.
He could risk a further one match should he challenge the verdict.
Melbourne, already without the injured Tom Scully, Mark Jamar, Jack Grimes, Jared Rivers and the suspended Jack Trengove, lost Colin Garland (ankle) and Rohan Bail (knee) to injuries during its loss to the Kangaroos.
Garland is expected to miss several weeks, while Bail appears likely to miss up to six games.
On Saturday, the Demons play St Kilda, which lost defender Steven Baker to yet another suspension when he was outed for two games.
Baker, who was due to play his 200th match for the Saints this weekend, was charged with striking Hawthorn's Michael Osborne.
Based on video evidence and a medical report from the Hawks, the incident was assessed as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact, drawing 225 demerit points.
However, he risks a three-game ban should he challenge the verdict after a carryover of demerit points from his nine-game suspension over three incidents with Geelong's Steve Johnson in round 13 last year.
Baker has now missed a combined total of 28 matches after being found guilty of 15 charges throughout his career.
Teammate David Armitage can accept a reprimand after being found guilty of a negligent high strike against Hawthorn defender Grant Birchall. He will carry 60 demerit points for the next 12 months.
The match-day report of Western Bulldogs ruckman Ben Hudson for engaging in rough conduct against Richmond ruckman Angus Graham in an attempted spoiling action was withdrawn.