Winderlich was set to play his 99th game for the club after debuting in 2003. He had been ruled out from much of last year after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament early in 2011.
Meanwhile Dons defender Tayte Pears made his return to football last weekend after struggling with injury throughout 2011. After returning from a foot injury in round 13, he pulled a hamstring in Essendon’s elimination final loss to Carlton.
Despite returning against North Melbourne last week, Pears is yet to regain full confidence ahead of this week’s game against the Power.
"I don't feel 100 per cent confident yet in games, but it just takes time for it to come back," said Pears.
"It's about taking the game on, which I probably felt like I started doing at the start of 2010. Since then I've had injury after injury and you lose confidence in your skills and everything."
Essendon’s squad to play Port Adelaide
B: Dempsey, Pears, Hibberd
HB: Hardingham, Fletcher, Carlisle
C: Myers, Watson, Melksham
HF: Crameri, Hille, Jetta
F: Monfries, Hurley, Zaharakis
Foll: Ryder, Howlett, Stanton
I/C: Heppell, McVeigh, Lovett-Murray, LongerganEmg: Dyson, Bellchambers, Reimers
