The Bombers are facing a shortage of big men ahead of their blockbuster against Hawthorn on Saturday week after Matthew Leuenberger hurt his hamstring in the side's 22-point JLT Community Series loss to Geelong at Bendigo's Queen Elizabeth Oval, a result which meant Essendon finished their pre-season winless.

Leuenberger went off the ground during the first quarter. After being assessed by the club's medicos in the rooms, Leuenberger returned with ice on his hamstring and sat on the bench, taking no further part in the game.

While the club said it remained unsure of the injury's severity, the Dons may now need to elevate a rookie ahead of their MCG clash with the Hawks on Saturday week given the club's other senior ruckman Tom Bellchambers hasn't played all pre-season following knee surgery.

The Dons said Becllchambers remains a chance to play their season-opener, but it appears likely McKernan will be required. Delisted at the end of last season, McKernan was again picked up by the Bombers as a rookie, and took over the ruck on Sunday after Leuenberger was sidelined.

Despite conceding a significant height advantage, the 196-centimetre McKernan held his own against Geelong ruckmen Zac Smith and Rhys Stanley with the Bomber accumulating 21 disposals as well as kicking three goals, one of which was a nine-pointer.

McKernan, 26, played six senior games last year following nine in 2015, having been taken as a rookie by the Bombers after six years with Adelaide.

The Dons have space to elevate multiple rookies after David Myers and Jordan Ridley were both placed on the long-term injury list recently.

Essendon coach John Worsfold said Leuenberger's hamstring would need to be assessed.

"They said 'not bad' but obviously we won't know what that means for two weeks' time," Worsfold said.

Worsfold added that there was a "fair chance" McKernan would be elevated prior to round one.

"We're a bit light on [in the ruck] but McKernan battled on pretty well."

The Bombers also said key forward Cale Hooker was in the mix to play a VFL practice match in Geelong on Friday night as he tries to prove his fitness following a recent hamstring injury.

The Cats won despite a lacklustre first half. Already without Scott Selwood - recovering from a toe issue - their situation wasn't helped when Cameron Guthrie was left out of the team on Sunday, with the club deciding not to risk him as he recovers from a calf injury suffered earlier in the JLT series. Livewire Steven Motlop also missed the game because of what the club said was illness.

As such midfielders Zach Merrett and Jobe Watson were instrumental in building a 40-point half-time for the Dons, while the Bombers' remodelled forward line also looked good, with James Stewart and Kyle Langford particularly lively.

But just as happened three weeks ago against Hawthorn, Geelong surged back in the third quarter. Patrick Dangerfield was irresistible, ably supported by hometown hero Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan and Mark Blicavs.

Tom Hawkins was central to the Cats' comeback, with the Geelong spearhead booting four third-quarter goals, providing a handful for Essendon backman Michael Hurley.

Cats youngster Brandan Parfitt was solid rotating through the midfield while former Carlton backman Zach Tuohy again provided plenty of dash from defence.

There was a late concern for the Cats as defender Tom Stewart came off the ground in the last quarter with a suspected hamstring injury. The Cats start their premiership season campaign against Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Sunday, March 26.

Geelong assistant coach Matthew Scarlett said Guthrie and Scott Selwood would both need to prove their fitness in time tp face the Dockers, although he hinted that Guthrie was likely to play. Scarlett added that Motlop would be fine to play in that match.