Fremantle have suffered another injury blow as senior coach Ross Lyon has ruled Tendai Mzungu out of contention for Friday night’s clash with Collingwood.
“We lost Tendai Mzungu, he’s been ruled out with a hamstring,” Lyon said.
“It was positive scan last night and he’ll be out for 21 days.”
HBF Injury Update: Tuesday 21 June
Last weekend saw Freo lose five players to injury across the AFL and WAFL level, and while Lyon said it was a crucial period for the club, the morale within the playing group hasn’t been dictated by injury.
“It’s got to a tipping point really,” he said.
“We’re down to 22 and three emergencies. So that’s 25 and outside of that we only have four players and two of them are coming back from long term injury.
“(We had) two big hamstring (injuries) that will be eight to 10 weeks. Uebergang will require surgery in Melbourne on Thursday.
“Tanner Smith’s involves some tendons (in his hamstring). Brady Grey has a grade three syndesmosis, so he’ll have a screw put in we think, and Matt de Boer did his medial (collateral ligament).
“It’s critical for us and we’re concerned but we’re holding our end up.”
Wait paying off for mature-age Collins
The injury to Tanner Smith has paved the way for ruckman Jack Hannath to come back into the side, and Lyon said that weather permitting, Freo aim to pair the big man with Zac Clarke on Friday night.
“We’ll name Jack (Hannath) in the 22,” he said.
“The (playing) group knows that and we’ve made that decision.
“(We’ll look at) adverse weather, maybe make a decision, but we do like playing two ruckmen.”
