JOHN Worsfold says the Bombers have benefitted from a fixture anomaly that has given them virtually back-to-back byes leading into Sunday's significant clash with North Melbourne.
A quirk of their draw will see them play three games in 21 days, after a 10-day break between last Thursday night's win over West Coast and the upcoming Kangaroos' game.
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This followed on from the 11-day break they had over their official round 13 bye, which was sandwiched between their June 10 win over Brisbane and their clash with the Eagles.
Worsfold said there were plenty of positives to be gleaned from the big breaks given the Bombers' recent travel load.
"I think it's a good thing," Worsfold said on Thursday.
"The two longer breaks … they've worked really well for us, since the two games around that period were in Brisbane and Perth."
The players were given the weekend off to complete their own recovery after flying home from Perth on Thursday night's red-eye.
The extra time off has helped Jake Stringer (leg) and Josh Green (foot) prove their fitness, with Worsfold saying both were available despite playing out the Eagles' win sore.
Both trained on Thursday at Tullamarine along with Jordan Ridley, Aaron Francis and Patrick Ambrose, who are in contention to face the Roos.
The Bombers will make at least one forced change with Mason Redman to miss at least eight weeks with the ankle injury he sustained against the Eagles.
Redman, 20, joins Joe Daniher, David Zaharakis, Martin Gleeson and Josh Begley as Bombers nursing long-term injuries.
"It's always disappointing [for a player to get injured] but that's the game," Worsfold said.
"We lose players along the way, so the idea is to have a strong squad you rely on to support each other.
"Having Ambrose, Ridley and Francis available to choose from is quite a nice issue to have.
"The challenge is always around the make-up of our backline and what the opposition are going to throw at us, so getting the match-ups right.
"That will dictate which one of those players come in, they're all worthy of stepping into the line-up this week."
Darcy Parish also trained on Thursday but remains a few weeks away from being available following a thumb injury.
Worsfold said the Roos were presenting as an even outfit that was difficult to plan for but outlined Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown as one who would need additional attention.
"There's no one particular area, I think they're just playing really good footy and they're well-structured across the field," he said.
"Mark Harvey I'm sure is having a good look at Ben Brown's form and how he's been playing and how they set up around him being such a form target for them.
"But [Shaun] Higgins and [Ben] Cunnington … and their backline has been really solid."
Brown booted six goals against the Bombers in their round 18 clash last year.
Cale Hooker played forward in that game, but Worsfold said he was likely to spend time against the Roos' spearhead on Sunday.
"There's various things we'll take into account in terms of that," he said.
"I certainly would expect that 'Hooksy' will be on him for parts of the game."
The Bombers have confirmed Tom Bellchambers' two-year contract extension, with Worsfold praising the big man for the role he has played in the Bombers' recent revival.
"Your ruckman is a really important part of your game-plan and helps your midfielders in their roles," he said.
"His ruck work has been the best it's been I think and his form around the ground has also been outstanding."
