No timeline on star forward’s return

ESSENDON coach Ben Rutten can’t reveal when small forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will make his AFL return.

McDonald-Tipungwuti hasn’t played at the top level since round 21 last year and recently took a leave of absence from the club in February to deal with personal matters.

Now back at The Hangar and making his return to play via the VFL, McDonald-Tipungwuti has been slow out of the gates, averaging just 10.7 disposals and 1.3 goals a game at the state-league level from three games this season.

While Essendon GM of Football Josh Mahoney expected McDonald-Tipungwuti to reach AFL levels of fitness in early May coach, Rutten revealed after last week’s loss to Fremantle that the club had tempered those expectations.

“We haven’t got a timeline on Tippa,” Rutten said. “He’s still a while away.”

Tipungwuti hasn’t played at AFL level since Essendon’s win over the Western Bulldogs in Round 21 last year.

– BY LACHLAN GELEIT/ SEN