MIDFIELDER Brent Stanton insists no players will want to be rested this week when Essendon takes on Greater Western Sydney, as competition for spots grows at the club.
After the Bombers' win over Richmond on Saturday night, coach James Hird said there were a number of players carrying injuries who could miss the clash with the Giants.
Making that appear more likely is the fact Essendon's depth is strong, with senior-listed Bombers Mark McVeigh, Kyle Reimers, Travis Colyer and Tayte Pears all playing in the VFL on Saturday.
First-year draftee Elliott Kavanagh also performed strongly.
But Stanton said nobody would want to give up his position easily for fear of losing it for more than a week.
"We're starting to get a few blokes back and those people are playing well in the twos and putting pressure on the players in there," he said on Monday.
"I'm pretty sure the senior players that are playing senior footy don't want to rest in case these guys do jump up and take their spot.
"It's important that everyone keeps up their form and keeps playing good footy and playing their roles within the team or else they could find themselves back in the reserves and finding it hard to get back in."
Stanton said veteran defender Dustin Fletcher had not been ruled out of contention to play against the Giants despite being subbed out of Essendon's win over the Tigers with an adductor injury.
Fletcher was at training on Monday morning.
"He's going to be monitored throughout the week," Stanton said.
"He's been playing some good footy and he's been playing a little bit underdone for the last couple of weeks, but I'm pretty sure it'll be up to him later in the week if he wants to play or not."