Essendon’s poor start worsens with Zach Merrett set for long stint on sideline after hurting ankle against Brisbane

Essendon vice-captain Zach Merrett faces up to two months on the sidelines as he prepares to undergo ankle surgery this week in a bitter blow for the struggling Bombers. Merrett limped from the field in the final minutes of Essendon’s clash with Brisbane on Saturday with what the club initially believed was a “minor” ankle complaint. However, scans on Sunday morning confirmed a high ankle syndesmosis injury which requires surgery. Merrett is expected to miss between six and eight weeks with the injury in a crushing blow for an Essendon side which has made a 0-2 start to the season and faces reigning premier Melbourne on Friday night. Fellow midfielder Nik Cox also had scans after suffering an ankle injury of his own in the final minutes of Saturday’s 22-point loss to Brisbane, but remains a chance to tackle the Demons. “Zach and Nik had scans this morning and have both suffered ankle injuries, with Zach expected to have a longer stint on the sidelines,” Essendon football boss Josh Mahoney said. “We will look at surgery as an option for Zach but it is likely he will miss around six to eight weeks. “Nik’s injury isn’t as severe so we will assess his recovery this week and give him the best chance to get up for our match against Melbourne.” Essendon’s reigning best-and-fairest and a 2021 All-Australian, Merrett racked up 31 touches against the Lions after collecting 39 disposals against Geelong in round 1. The 26-year-old has not missed a game through injury since 2015, when he suffered a stress fracture in his foot. Essendon will be fighting to avoid its worst start to a season in 55 years when it takes on Melbourne this week. The Bombers last started a season 0-3 in 1967. In better news for the Bombers, midfielder Dylan Shiel is considered a chance to return against the Demons after missing the weekend’s loss to Brisbane with a side strain. Shiel will have to prove his fitness this week to be considered for a recall. “(It’s) not a long-term thing,” Essendon coach Ben Rutten said of Shiel on Saturday. “He’ll have to get through training.”